Fibers
Consumer demand for fiber continues steady rise
Fiber is crucial to our health and well-being, and regular consumption can lead to many desirable health benefits. These health benefits are well-established and it is difficult to find any information about better nutrition that does not praise the importance of consuming more fiber. Today’s consumers are demanding more fiber in everything, from breakfast cereals and snacks to side dishes and beverages.
Top categories include bakery and cereals, as both incorporate fiber from grains as well as ingredient sources, but surprisingly, growth is strongest in subcategories not typically associated with fiber, such as carbonates, deli substitutes, chocolate and instant noodles.1
The takeaway for food and beverage manufacturers is that there is no shortage of opportunities to grow their businesses by creating products with increased fiber that taste great and contribute to the benefits consumers demand.
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Regular fiber consumption can contribute to a wide variety of health benefits consumers seek
Dependent on the type and amount consumed on a regular basis, dietary fiber not only aids digestion but can also offer a variety of other benefits*, including:
- Improved Bowel function (laxation)
- Lower LDL/cholesterol which can reduce the risk of heart disease
- Health claim reducing risk of coronary disease
- Lower blood glucose/insulin
- Bone health/calcium absorption for increased mineral absorption in the intestinal tract
- Lower calorie intake due to increased satiety
*FDA recognized
Types of fiber
Soluble fiber
This type of fiber dissolves in water to form a gel-like material. It can help lower blood cholesterol and glucose levels. Soluble fiber is found in oats, peas, beans, apples, citrus fruits, carrots, barley and psyllium.
Insoluble fiber
This type of fiber can support regularity as it promotes the movement of material through your digestive system and increases stool bulk. Whole-wheat flour, wheat bran, nuts, beans and vegetables, such as cauliflower, green beans and potatoes, are good sources of insoluble fiber.
Enrich your products with Ingredion’s proven fiber solutions
Create fiber-rich products that consumers will crave. We have what you need to bring your vision to life through a broad plant-based portfolio of in-demand ingredients and solutions for improved nutrition, health and wellness applications. Our formulation, sensory and nutrition science experts have the experience to help you design and get your fiber-enhanced products to market faster. Let our dedicated team be your guide for claims substantiation, label requirements and identifying a fiber solution that’s right for your product.
Soluble fibers
Increase the level of good bacteria in the gut and support digestive health, with some of the most effective prebiotics and fibers on the market today. Our selection of soluble fibers includes products that can help reduce sugar in your formulations and promote digestive function while improving texture.
NUTRAFLORA® P-95
Enhance fiber, reduce sugar and support digestive health with this powdered soluble prebiotic fiber.
NUTRAFLORA® FB P-95
Enhance fiber, reduce sugar and support digestive health with a minimum of 95% (dry basis) scFOS.
NUTRAFLORA® L-95 S
Enhance fiber, reduce sugar and support digestive health with a soluble prebiotic fiber syrup.
BIOLIGO™ GL 5700
Enhance nutritional value with formulation-friendly prebiotic soluble fiber.
FORTIFEED® P-95
Promote digestive health in companion and consumption animals.
FORTIFEED® L-95
Selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of beneficial microflora while being unavailable to pathogens.
Insoluble fibers*
Our selection of insoluble fibers, which includes low-FODMAP options, can help you differentiate your products with higher fiber content and bring digestive health benefits to baked goods, snacks, pasta and more. Generate greater appeal with the just-right taste and texture consumers prefer with these ingredients.
HI-MAIZE® 260 resistant starch
Replace refined or whole wheat flour on a one-to-one basis in a wide range of recipes.
NOVELOSE® 3490 resistant starch*
Deliver just-right taste, texture and even fewer calories in fiber-rich foods.
VERSAFIBE™ 1490 resistant starch*
Add low-FODMAP certified fiber, reduce calories and net carbohydrates.
VERSAFIBE 1485*
Increase dietary fiber and reduce calories with this potato-based modified food starch.
FIBERTEX™ CF citrus fibers
Formulate sustainable, cost-efficient products with a consumer-preferred clean labels.
Related resources
Digestive health
Create appeal and promote consumer well-being with solutions designed to maintain and improve digestive and gut health.
Prebiotics for infant nutrition
Support infant digestive health with high-quality ingredients.
Formulating for nutrition
Give consumers more of what they want and less of what they don’t. Our solutions for nutrition can replace less-desirable ingredients with more nutritious alternatives — adding fiber, enhancing protein or reducing sugar in your application.
Webinar: Fiber in Focus
Drive brand loyalty and growth by (re)formulating fiber-enriched products that help consumers improve their digestive health.
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Webinar: Fiber's role in snacking
Explore consumer snacking trends and get nutrition, health and wellness formulation insights from Ingredion experts.
Texturizer solutions
Optimize formulations and consumer eating enjoyment with the right texturizer for your unique needs.
Frequently asked questions:
What is dietary fiber made of?
Dietary fiber is made up of carbohydrate polymers with three or more monomeric units (MUs), which are neither digested nor absorbed in the human intestine. Some non-carbohydrates such as lignin and substances which are present in cell walls linked to polysaccharides may also be considered dietary fibers according to different regulatory authorities.
Where does dietary fiber come from?
Dietary fibers may come from:
- Naturally occurring sources: “intrinsic and intact” carbohydrates and lignin
- Isolated or synthetic carbohydrates that have physiological effects that are beneficial to human health
What are the food sources of dietary fibers?
Both soluble and insoluble fibers are naturally occurring in food sources such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, tubers and cereals. Resistant starch can only be found in starchy foods such as cereals, tubers and green bananas. Pectins are more naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables, and β-glucans and arabinoxylans are present in cereals.1
What are the functional benefits of adding Ingredion’s dietary fiber solutions to your formulations?
Our selection of soluble and insoluble fibers offers an array of added benefits. Differentiate your products with enhanced fiber that supports digestive health and can also reduce sugar and calories, improve texture and support sustainability goals.
Learn more about texturizers
Whether you’re formulating for a specific characteristic or simply interested in learning more about an ingredient, our Texturizer Solutions page has all the information you need.
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Collaborate with us today to tap into our deep nutrition and sensory science expertise, formulation experience, broad portfolio of in-demand ingredients, market research, consumer insights and more.
1Makki, Kassem, et al. "The impact of dietary fiber on gut microbiota in host health and disease." Cell Host & Microbe 23.6 (2018): 705-715.
*Meets FDA requirements for dietary fibers
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