FrieslandCampina Ingredients pioneers prebiotic solutions for gut and muscle health

Gut health is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of holistic well-being and performance. Science continues to reveal how the gut microbiome influences areas of human health, far beyond that of nutrient absorption. Recent studies have highlighted how the gut affects energy metabolism, recovery, and even physical performance.

To understand more about the growing gut health category, Nutrition Insight sits down with Eline Verrijk, FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ marketing manager for performance and active nutrition, to discuss how the company leverages its deep dairy expertise to pioneer prebiotic innovations. 

“In recent years, our understanding of the gut microbiome has expanded dramatically,” says Verrijk. “We now know it plays a far broader role than digestion alone.” 

“One of the most exciting areas of discovery is the gut-muscle axis, which explores how gut microbiota influence muscle function, metabolism, and overall physical performance.”

The prebiotic advantage

FrieslandCampina Ingredients emphasizes that, while probiotics have long dominated the gut health conversation, prebiotics are rapidly moving into the mainstream. Verrijk states that 23% of consumers now actively seek out prebiotics in functional foods and beverages for their gut health benefits.

She also attests that FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) prebiotic is “the most researched in the world,” with extensive data to support its role in boosting beneficial gut bacteria and promoting overall wellness.

Moreover, Verrijk notes that, unlike probiotics, which introduce live bacteria into the gut, prebiotics feed and strengthen the beneficial bacteria already present, helping the microbiome thrive naturally.

“Prebiotics also offer greater formulation stability and flexibility, with a longer shelf life than probiotics, making them ideal for use in a wide range of functional foods and drinks,” Verrijk underscores. “Probiotics, on the other hand, need to be kept alive and effective from manufacturing to consumption, which can present challenges.” 

FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ Biotis Fermentis combines prebiotics, probiotics, GOS, and protein.“However, it’s not about choosing sides — it’s about understanding which gut-boosting ingredient can help consumers get the most out of life. Some brands are even innovating with synbiotics — combining prebiotics and probiotics — to deliver the best of both worlds.”

Boosting performance with Biotis Fermentis

According to FrieslandCampina Ingredients, its latest innovation, Biotis Fermentis, is built on this science. Verrijk spotlights the ingredient as part of a new generation of prebiotic solutions that target gut axes, part of the complex interplay between the gut and the rest of the body.

The product combines protein, probiotics, and the company’s signature prebiotic GOS in one synergistic, fermented solution. Designed to support gut and muscle health, Biotis Fermentis has been shown to help active consumers and athletes maintain digestive comfort, optimize nutrient absorption, and recover more effectively from training.

“This is especially beneficial for athletes and active individuals, who often experience compromised gut health due to factors like intense training, dietary stress, and high protein intake,” Verrijk explains. “These can lead to symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, and reduced nutrient absorption — all of which can affect performance and recovery.”

“We’ve recently enhanced the formulation to ensure its benefits last longer — improved product stability means that the prebiotics remain effective throughout shelf life. In addition, we’ve lowered the lactose content, making it suitable for ‘lower lactose’ product concepts — a growing demand among active consumers seeking gut-friendly, high-protein options for everyday wellness and post-exercise recovery.”

Advancing applications with technology

Verrijk also points out that behind the functional benefits of FrieslandCampina Ingredients’ offerings lies a wave of technological advancements. Furthermore, she says that the company has harnessed these advancements to reshape how gut health ingredients are formulated and delivered.

Prebiotic innovation is driving new gut-focused formats — from yogurts to bars and shots.She adds that processing innovations now protect prebiotics from heat, moisture, and oxygen — factors that previously limited their use for certain product types and delivery formats.

“Improved processing techniques are transforming how prebiotics are used in formulations,” says Verrijk. “Today, technological advancements are transforming how prebiotics are used in formulations, not just to be more stable, effective, and versatile, but also to unlock new functional foods and formats.”

“Our GOS, for example, is not just acid and heat-stable — it also has a neutral taste, making it easy to incorporate into a range of products, like yogurts, drinks, shots, on-the-go formats like bars, and even soft drinks. Technology is also enabling efficacy in remarkably small doses — high-purity prebiotic ingredients are powering novel gut-supporting supplement formats like gummies, delivering benefits in doses as low as 1.3 g.” 

The result, Verrijk attests,  is a new generation of gut-friendly, everyday nutrition products that are high in protein, low in lactose, and rich in prebiotic power. She also states that this means producers can formulate products that meet consumers where they’re at — on-the-go, at the gym, or seeking better gut health balance.

Looking ahead

As the science of the microbiome continues to evolve, Verrijk sees the next wave of innovation expanding far beyond digestion and physical performance.

The gut-muscle axis is redefining how nutrition supports active and athletic performance.“One of the biggest opportunities lies in developing products that support multiple gut axes,” she says. “From the gut-brain and gut-immune connections to the gut-skin pathway, consumers are increasingly curious about how gut health influences mood, immunity, and even skin vitality.”

Verrijk also notes that, with consumer interest high and scientific understanding deepening, the bar for credibility and substantiation is rising fast. Brands will need to back their claims with solid evidence and communicate complex science in a way that consumers can easily understand.

“Although consumers are checking labels more, two-fifths say they find the nutritional information complex and confusing,” she says. “The winners will be brands that build trust through transparency and can translate complex research into a compelling story that consumers can easily understand.”

“The bar for credibility is rising fast, but for brands that meet it, the potential to connect with informed and engaged consumers is more promising than ever, Verrijk concludes.