Fibre fortification – Is fibre fortification only a new trend, or is it an important key to a healthier life?

The increased consumption of “ready-to-eat” convenience food results in lower fibre intake. Whole grain products and vegetables are not consumed as they should be. Fortifying products with fibre is one way to make them healthier for health-conscious consumers. The benefits of fibre enrichment are clear. The extent and scope of the advantages for human welfare is a topic that is keeping scientists busy. A fibre-rich diet seems to be the foundation for a healthy gut, a lower glycemic index and even better mental health.
To be honest, many claims in this field of research are, at present, more allegations than evidence-based. This is a common issue in research into the impact of food ingredients on human health; studies often have too few participants or are conducted over too short a period. It is extremely difficult to determine the favourite food of the billions of microorganisms in your colon and how changes in their population affect you. Furthermore, consider how their degradation products will affect your health. It is certain that our intestinal system is much more than just an energy supplier. A more holistic approach is needed to gain a clearer understanding of this topic.

What does ‘prebiotic’ mean?

One definition of fibre is that it is a nutrient that is only partly degraded in your colon by your intestinal bacteria, also known as your microflora. By feeding these billions of microorganisms, they become stronger and more diverse. This process is called prebiotic. The degradation products of this process are mainly short-chain fatty acids, which influence your health.

Why choose acacia gum?

There are many options for fibre fortification. The question is, why choose gum arabic? The most important factor is naturalness! Our acacia gums are natural products whose structure is not chemically altered, unlike most starch products. Secondly, sustainability! Mostly wild-harvested by rural people in the Sahel region, the gum provides an income and helps to ensure that important savannah forests do not end up being used for charcoal production. The gum business indirectly helps to combat desertification. There are no monocultures. No pesticides or fertilisers are used. Compared to other fibres, it is well tolerated by the human digestive system and has fewer side effects. It is slowly fermented by intestinal bacteria to produce short-chain fatty acids with a proven prebiotic effect.
It is low in calories, making it an ideal replacement for sugar or fat when bulking up. Last but not least, it is highly competitive in terms of both price and applicability. It is easily soluble, even in cold water-based media, and has a high pH and temperature stability, as well as being neutral in taste, making life easy for industrial users. You can also benefit from gum arabic’s multifunctionality. Perhaps an enhanced mouthfeel, more roundness, or better stabilisation in your product could be useful “side effects”.