Brightseed unlocks the nutritional potential of fiber and bioactives in plant foods

26 Oct 2023 --- Researchers from the University of Minnesota and Brightseed are spotlighting more reasons to prioritize fiber in our regular diets. The study reveals that each plant source of insoluble fiber contains bioactives that may lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes.

Plant sources with bioactives and insoluble dietary fiber could fortify processed foods to increase their nutritional value. Food production byproducts, which are good sustainable sources, such as peels, hulls, pulp or pomace, are generally high in fiber and bioactives.

“Historically, the health benefits of insoluble fiber have been overshadowed by soluble fiber.” Jan-Willem van Klinken, co-author of the study and SVP of medical, scientific and regulatory affairs for Brightseed, tells Food Ingredients First.

“Fiber is the marker of health that is included in our dietary guidelines and found on product labels, but our research indicates that we need to ensure the other valuable components of fiber-containing plant sources — the bioactives — are also recognized as providing valuable benefits for human health,” says Joanne Slavin, co-author of the paper and a professor in the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences at the University of Minnesota. 

Health benefits in common plant foods
A takeaway from the study published in Nutrients, is that a range of plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and whole grains, are rich in both insoluble dietary fiber and bioactives that promote health in various ways.

The research identifies potent ingredients like Quercetin, Resveratrol, Catechins, Anthocyanins, Lutein, Lycopene and Beta-Carotene in many fiber-rich plant foods. 

Some companies and experts believe the current fiber gap is linked with western diet. Van Klinken acknowledges: “The suggestion to eat more fruits and vegetables isn’t a novel idea, but it’s something most people still struggle to do.” 

“If we can offer widely accessible fiber-fortified products that have been developed to enhance rather than negate bioactive content, we can provide consumers with increased nutritional value,” he elaborates.

“We need to double down on education about bioactives to consumers and the food industry. Beyond vitamins and minerals, bioactives are critical for human health, but consumers don’t know much about them, and industry is starting to learn more as new evidence emerges.” 

Van Klinken details that this is one of the reasons Brightseed organized a Bioactives Coalition of experts who agree it is crucial to bridge the gap between what the science says today and where it is recommended to consumers to proactively manage their health.

Madeline Timm, the current study’s lead author and a graduate researcher at the University of Minnesota, emphasizes: “The results of this research can serve as a paradigm shift in how the food and health industries, as well as consumers, view insoluble dietary fiber and bioactives.”

Fortification potential
Utilizing AI-driven data and biosciences to apply the findings of scientific research in tackling health problems with nature-inspired solutions. Van Klinken suggests: “What this research tells us is that there’s an enormous potential in this category to formulate and fortify products with various sources of insoluble dietary fiber and their associated bioactives.”

“These whole food sources can inspire successful formulations for consumers to benefit not only from higher fiber in their diets but also capture health benefits that those specific bioactives can impart if they are properly preserved and maintained.”

Further science research is required to identify extraction and processing methods that preserve and optimize healthy bioactive compounds.He introduces Brightseed’s first ingredient as a case example of how this can be implemented: “Bio Gut Fiber is a novel source of insoluble dietary fiber made from upcycled hemp hulls, and contains two unique bioactives NCT (N-trans-caffeoyl tyramine) and NCT (N-trans-feruloyl tyramine) which show promise to help support the strength of the gut epithelial lining.” 

However, he notes that there are many whole food sources of insoluble dietary fiber that contain important bioactives which have been overlooked and underutilized.

Challenges to enhance fiber content
One of the challenges to capture the opportunities in the bioactive fiber category is to create good processing strategies that enhance both dietary fiber and bioactive content. Van Klinken explains: “We are undertaking the challenge through the discovery and development of bioactive products and ingredients.”

“Innovation for the food industry relies on the balance of minimal processing methods and attaining high bioaccessibility for efficacious delivery of bioactives. There is so much more to these fiber sources if we look closely.”

Another challenge lies in selecting the right format for a food product.

“From a bioactives perspective for fortification, manufacturers have to invest in methods that preserve their integrity and bioaccessibility when exploring various formats so that brands can confidently communicate these health benefits to consumers who are looking for tailored, functional ingredients to support their health needs.” 

Despite the current formulation challenges, Van Klinken stresses the need to close the fiber gap detailing: “The US is in a fiber and bioactive deficit crisis — 90% of Americans fall short of the daily intake recommendations for fruits and vegetables, the primary source of bioactive compounds.”

By Sichong Wang