NUTRIOSE Soluble Fiber Delivers Consumer Benefits in Better-for-You Beverages

03/01/07 Greater and greater numbers of people are buying healthier-for-you beverages, such as bottled water, sport drinks, low-sugar fruit juices and drinks and diet sodas. At the same time, consumers are looking for ways to increase their daily dietary fiber intake. NUTRIOSE soluble fiber provides formulators with a simple and effective means to add significant dietary fiber and accompanying health benefits to their beverages without compromising the taste or texture people expect.

National Starch Food Innovation, the exclusive distributor of Roquette Frères’ NUTRIOSE product line in many food and beverage segments in the United States and Mexico, has created a formulation for 50%-reduced sugar water/juice-based beverages that provides 3 grams of fiber per 8-ounce serving. This new formulation provides a number of improvements over typical low-calorie beverages, including better mouthfeel, taste and aftertaste. The difference in taste and aftertaste is attributable to the impact that NUTRIOSE has on the reduction of off-note flavors caused by high-intensity sweeteners, added vitamins or acid bite from juices or teas.

In addition to its mouthfeel and taste benefits in low or no-sugar drinks, NUTRIOSE is stable in low pH/high acidity beverages and has excellent digestive tolerance. The prebiotic soluble fiber also lowers glycemic response.

“Because of their convenience and high rate of consumption, beverages are an ideal application to bring real health benefits to consumers,” said Dr. Deborah Dihel, Business Development Manager for National Starch Food Innovation. “Better-for-you versions of popular beverages and new healthy drinks continue to enjoy sustained growth in the US market. NUTRIOSE offers beverage manufacturers a way to differentiate their products by improving both taste and health benefits.”

NUTRIOSE soluble fiber is a food dextrin, derived from corn or wheat, which has a fiber content of 85%. Packaged as an agglomerated powder, NUTRIOSE has high solubility, good flowability and low hygroscopicity and provides manufacturers with excellent fiber retention throughout a product’s shelf life. The clear, low-viscosity fiber also tolerates heat treatment and pasteurization, works over wide pH and storage temperature ranges and quickly disperses without lumping.