FODMAP Friendly: Nexira positions dietary fiber on trending platform

19 Jul 2017 --- Nexira has announced that its Fibregum meets the needs of those who require diets low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP). According to the company, Fibregum, a soluble dietary fiber sourced from acacia trees, is a highly branched polysaccharide, which ferments gradually in transverse and descending colons without generating discomfort.

The company says it can be incorporated in numerous applications thanks to its solubility and low viscosity, providing many technological and nutritional advantages.

“Consumers are more and more aware about their health. They want healthier products – which, for soft drinks, means less or no sugar – but also products with real health benefits,” Julie Impérato, Nexira Marketing Manager, tells NutritionInsight. 

“They are also looking for natural and plant-based products. These two trends match perfectly with our core values and our expertise as Nexira offers Fibregum, a natural solution for dietary fiber enrichment with a high digestive tolerance.” 

“[In Europe], the FODMAP-friendly market is still a niche one, and there is not a lot of communication around this topic. However, the media are talking more and more about digestive disorders and IBS, which is already a first step,” Impérato says, adding that consumers should be informed about the benefits of low FODMAP diets.

Low FODMAP diets have been gaining popularity in recent months. Because FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates, they are not absorbed well by the gastrointestinal tract and can lead to symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as gas, bloating and discomfort. Earlier this year, NutritionInsight spoke with Dr. Stefan Siebrecht, Managing Director of Taiyo, on how the FODMAP trend could affect the dietary fiber market.

Also seeking to support people with digestive sensitivities, Nestlé Health Science (NHS) has launched a series of videos showcasing quick and easy gluten-free and low-FODMAP snack ideas. The videos also showcase Nestlé Health Science’s new chocolate-flavored ProNourish Nutritional Drink. 

According to the company, the nutritional drink is formulated to avoid certain ingredients that may trigger digestive discomfort. Moreover, it contains 15g of high-quality protein and 3g of fiber, is gluten free, contains 25 essential vitamins and minerals and is low in FODMAPs.

The new ProNourish recipe videos are geared toward people with digestive sensitivities who are following a gluten-free and/or low-FODMAP diet. The videos are being released in conjunction with a year-long collaboration between ProNourish Nutritional Drink and the Celiac Disease Foundation (CDF), which will include communications and sharing of resources with patients and healthcare professionals through CDF’s e-newsletters, social media channels and website. 

“The NHS mission is to offer nutritional solutions to help improve consumers' lives. We are passionate about digestive health, shown by the ProNourish Nutritional Drink launch last year and our ongoing efforts to develop resources for people with digestive sensitivities,” says Barbara McCartney, Regional Business Head for NHS Consumer Care in North America. 

Danielle Capalino, a digestive-health focused registered dietitian, focuses on finding simple ways for people with digestive sensitivities to eat without worry. 

“I always encourage my clients to plan, so they will have what they need, even with a busy, on-the-go lifestyle. Short videos make that so easy – especially with the easily packable low-FODMAP and gluten-free snack ideas featured in the new recipe videos like no-bake bites, hummus and ProNourish Nutritional Drink,” Capalino says.

by Lucy Gunn and Paul Creasy