Expo West 2026 live: Beneo features fiber-rich ingredients for gut health and satiety

Beneo is showcasing how its ingredients enable nutrient-dense, functional concepts that meet consumer expectations for holistic approaches to everyday well-being at the ongoing Natural Products Expo West 2026 trade show. 

The company notes that these address consumer needs from digestive health and microbiome balance to satiety, sustained energy, and nutrition strategies aligned with GLP-1-based weight management. 

Nutrition Insight meets with Hanna Bean, Beneo’s marketing manager for the Americas, at the show in Anaheim, California, US, to explore the company’s portfolio of plant-based functional ingredients, including proteins, prebiotic fibers, barley beta-glucans, and smart carbohydrates. 

“These ingredients help address key nutrition and lifestyle goals, such as digestive health and weight management, without compromising on taste or product development flexibility. This focus is reflected in the concepts we are showcasing at Expo West 2026.”

At Beneo’s booth, visitors can sample prebiotic oat lattes, whole-grain breakfast cookies, and high-protein, gluten-free tortilla chips.

The latte delivers 5 g of dietary fiber and 15 g of Palatinose (carbohydrate) per 355 ml serving, supporting digestive wellness and increasing GLP-1 release. The cookie is a fiber-rich option for breakfast or between meals, made with whole-grain barley flour and prebiotic inulin.

“The addition of Palatinose provides mild sweetness while delivering sustained energy and a balanced blood sugar response — for steady energy throughout the day,” details Bean.

Lastly, the tortilla chip offers a savory, high-protein snack option that is formulated with plant-based faba bean protein to help bridge the gap between meals.

“These examples showcase how product developers can successfully combine targeted health benefits with taste and consumer appeal.”

Nutrient-dense ingredients

Bean says that Beneo has a long heritage in digestive health, blood sugar control, and weight management solutions.

At Beneo’s booth, visitors can sample prebiotic oat lattes, whole-grain breakfast cookies, and high-protein, gluten-free tortilla chips.“Our prebiotic chicory root fibers and barley beta-glucan whole-grain flour promote digestive health and also play an important role in supporting balanced blood sugar levels,” says Bean.

“When it comes to carbohydrates, the type of choice truly matters: our functional carbohydrates Palatinose (isomaltulose) and Isomalt have low glycemic index properties and hence avoid the common ‘boost and crash’ effect.”

She notes that Beneo’s solutions — fibers, smart carbohydrates, and plant-based proteins from rice and faba bean — contribute meaningfully to weight wellness and align with what consumers increasingly expect from modern food and beverage products.

Bridging the fiber gap

Bean says that digestive health is a major growth area, with its influence extending far beyond the gut.

“Consumers increasingly understand gut health as good health and the connections to mental well-being, bone health, and immunity.”

She points to a growing visibility of fiber making a real impact, as almost half of US consumers rank claims such as “excellent source of fiber” among their top three factors when defining something as healthy.

“One of the strongest emerging wellness trends right now is ‘fibermaxxing’ — a new generation’s ‘more-is-more’ approach to fiber intake. What’s particularly interesting is that fiber is no longer just associated with digestive health for older consumers but is increasingly linked to broader benefits that truly motivate consumers. It’s becoming mainstream, aspirational, and highly visible on platforms like TikTok.”

As there are many types of fiber, with their own functions and health benefits, Bean highlights the importance of choosing the right mix.At the same time, Bean highlights the importance of consumer guidance on fiber intake. “Jumping from a low habitual fiber intake to the recommended 25–38 g per day can overwhelm the gut and potentially lead to digestive discomfort. A more effective approach is to gradually increase fiber intake.” 

Moreover, she says it’s crucial to drink sufficiently and combine different types of fiber to make the change sustainable and achievable.

“In the long run, we’re observing a broader transition — from ‘maxing out’ single nutrients to embracing diversity and holistic gut health. For brands, this creates a compelling opportunity: fiber is no longer just a functional add-on — it’s a front-of-pack, value-driving message that resonates across generations.”

Holistic gut health

A shift toward fiber diversity and holistic gut health offers one of the biggest opportunities in nutrition and functional ingredients, says Bean.

“Having conducted research in the field of prebiotics for more than 30 years, it is encouraging for us to see consumers becoming increasingly aware of the benefits that a fiber-rich diet can deliver.”

“The next step is helping them understand that it’s not simply about increasing intake, but about choosing the ‘right mix,’” Bean continues. “There are many types of fibers, each offering different physiological functions and health benefits. Think of them as a toolbox — not all fibers are the same, and their origins, physiological effects, fermentation patterns, and functional roles differ significantly.”

Bean points to a shift toward fiber diversity and holistic gut health as one of the biggest opportunities in nutrition and functional ingredients.As the market shifts toward a more comprehensive approach to gut wellness, Beneo sees a significant opportunity for brands to build trust and long-term value. Bean says its diverse natural fibers each provide complementary physiological effects. She details that this allows brands to create products that deliver a more complete gut health experience.

“Beyond ingredients, we support partners with scientific expertise, application know-how, and consumer guidance, helping them formulate products that are effective, well-tolerated, and aligned with how people realistically integrate new habits into daily life.”

Innovations that build trust

According to Bean, Beneo shapes its product roadmap and claims strategy by combining scientific evidence with consumer relevance, customer needs, regulatory realities, and practical application.

“We closely follow advances in nutrition science — particularly in areas such as digestive and metabolic health — and use this evidence to ensure our ingredients and claims are well substantiated and credible.”

“At the same time, we recognize that innovation must translate into benefits that resonate with consumers and can be successfully brought to market by our customers.”

She concludes that the company’s evidence-based, yet market-grounded approach allows brands to develop great-tasting products that deliver real benefits without compromising trust, compliance, or consumer appeal.