Fiber demand soars in GLP-1 companion products, synbiotic gummies & precision prebiotics

Fiber no longer belongs solely in the realm of gut health, but has expanded to support diverse claims as ingredient innovation is continually refined. Driven by social media trends like “fibermaxxing,” growing consumer needs for GLP-1 companion products, and demand for multi-benefit formulations, the fiber market is expanding with new functionalities. 

Nutrition Insight speaks to Roquette, Beneo, Ingredion, and TopGum Industries about how scientifically backed fibers are expanding beyond traditional applications into functional beverages, weight management platforms, and better-for-you confectionery.

“[This] is the year of fiber, partially due to viral social media trends like ‘fibermaxxing’ and ‘fiber-mixing’ that’s inspiring consumers to find new, visually appealing ways to increase their daily intake,” says Iva François, global product marketing leader of Fibers at Roquette.

“We’re also seeing significant growth beyond fiber’s traditional heartland of breakfast cereals and breads. Brands are unveiling fiber-first prebiotic soft drinks, fortified snacks and bars in particular. Snacking and on-the-go consumption are driving this shift.”

Annelore de Boe, portfolio manager of Functional Fibres at Beneo, stresses that health benefits related to fiber are not just about quantity but also quality and diversity. “That’s because not all fibers are created equal. They have different properties that deliver varying benefits — and not all fibers that are fermented in the gut are prebiotics.”

“Manufacturers should prioritize smart fiber combinations that are supported by sound science to deliver the health benefits consumers are looking for,” she advises.

More than a passing trend

Vanessa Bailey, senior manager of Healthful Solutions Global Strategy and Innovation at Ingredion, underscores that digestive health is more than a passing trend. “It has become a mainstream need, not just for people managing health problems, but now also targeting inadequate digestion, nutrient absorption, defecation issues, damaged intestinal barriers, and leaky gut problems.”

“Consumers are also recognizing that fiber can play a role in managing immune health and metabolic issues such as blood glucose management and satiety.”

According to Ingredion, 75% of consumers are willing to pay more for digestive health claims.According to Ingredion’s proprietary research, 71% of consumers see digestive health as “very” or “extremely” linked to immune health. Additionally, eight out of 10 consumers say fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics are “very” or “extremely” relevant to their diet.

Moreover, 75% of consumers are willing to pay more for health claims such as digestive health.

One of the most recent additions to Ingredion’s healthy solutions portfolio is Benicaros soluble carrot fiber, a precision prebiotic in the US with immune health benefits at a low dose. “It complements our scientifically supported portfolio of prebiotic and specialty fibers backed by decades of research,” says Bailey.

What has evolved is how customers are approaching fiber, she notes. “They’re no longer looking for a fiber ingredient alone. They’re looking for formulation solutions that deliver multiple consumer benefits in a single product.”

“That’s where Ingredion is focused today: helping customers maximize the value of fiber by combining it with protein, clean label, sugar reduction, and texture solutions to create products that support nutrition while delivering a great eating experience. We recently brought that approach to life at IFT First 2026, showcasing how these capabilities come together in practical, consumer-ready formulation.”

Converging top trends

François at Roquette observes another significant trend: the rise of protein-fiber combinations, particularly in response to growing consumer interest in weight management and the rise of GLP-1 therapies.

“Protein plays an important role in preserving muscle mass during weight loss and supporting long-term weight maintenance, while slowly fermented fibers can promote gut health, offer good digestive tolerance, and contribute to satiety and appetite control,” she notes.

“Together, these complementary ingredients provide manufacturers with an opportunity to develop more holistic nutritional solutions that address several key consumer needs simultaneously, from body composition to long-term metabolic health.”

Meanwhile, Inbal Nahmias, head of global marketing and sustainability at gummy specialist TopGum Industries, highlights what the company is tracking as “one of the most exciting developments” — the growing convergence between gut health, metabolic wellness, and healthy aging.

“While demand for fiber spans multiple demographics, several consumer groups are currently driving growth, including health-conscious millennials, aging adults focused on preventive wellness, and, increasingly, users of GLP-1 medications,” she notes.

In the US, TopGum observes that the rapid adoption of GLP-1 weight loss therapies has created a compelling opportunity for complementary fiber-enriched products.In the US, TopGum observes that the rapid adoption of GLP-1 therapies has created a particularly compelling opportunity. “While these medications help reduce appetite, many consumers struggle to meet their nutritional needs, especially their fiber intake. As a result, brands are increasingly developing companion products designed to support digestive health, satiety, and overall nutritional balance,” says Nahmias.

“We’re also seeing strong demand for multi-benefit formulations,” she adds. “Rather than seeking standalone fiber products, consumers are looking for solutions that combine fiber with probiotics, postbiotics, metabolic health ingredients, women’s health actives, or healthy-aging compounds. Fiber is increasingly becoming the foundation of broader wellness platforms rather than a category on its own.”

From a geographic perspective, Nahmias says the US remains the most active and innovative market, followed by strong momentum across Europe and growing interest in functional nutrition solutions throughout Asia-Pacific markets.

Synbiotic gummies

TopGum reimagines gut health with Gummiotics, a no-added-sugar synbiotic gummy built on its patented Gummiceuticals fiber matrix. The platform combines pre-, pro-, and postbiotics in a single gummy, delivering a comprehensive approach to gut wellness.

“Unlike conventional gummies that rely on sugar or sugar alcohols, Gummiotics is based on a plant-derived prebiotic fiber matrix, which serves as both the gummy base and a source of nourishment for beneficial gut bacteria,” says Nahmias.

To maximize stability and efficacy, the platform incorporates clinically studied ingredients, including ADM’s Bacillus subtilis DE111 probiotics and BPL1 postbiotics, sourced from branded ingredients supported by clinical research.

“The result is a clean label, highly concentrated synbiotic gummy designed to deliver meaningful gut health benefits in a convenient, enjoyable format,” Nahmias highlights. “At the same time, our work in gut health is far from complete.”

“The science of the microbiome continues to evolve rapidly, revealing new connections between gut health and areas such as cognitive function, mood, skin health, and metabolic wellness. These emerging insights continue to inspire our innovation pipeline, and we look forward to introducing additional gut-health gummy solutions that bring cutting-edge science.”

Expanded innovation applications

While traditionally, bakery, cereals, and dairy were the main applications for fiber enrichment, De Boe at Beneo sees rising consumer interest opening up new innovation opportunities in applications such as beverages, meal replacers, and even confectionery. Combining soluble and insoluble fibers with different health benefits, such as chicory root fibers with barley beta-glucans, may also inspire new products, she adds.

“To inspire manufacturers on new ways to maximize this trend, the Beneo-Technology Center developed melting tea gummies with chicory root fiber and smart carbohydrate Palatinose. When dissolved in hot water, they turn into a tea infusion that can even offer a prebiotic effect,” she reveals.

Meal replacers are another application she spotlights for fiber enrichment, offering the potential to combine plant-based protein and fiber to support nutrient density and satiety — a key focus for weight-conscious consumers.

“In confectionery, consumers increasingly want more functionality as perception of indulgence shifts from excess, toward better-for-you options. Gummies or chocolate with reduced sugar and high fiber content are a great example of the potential for confectionery to increase appeal with consumers.”

Beneo’s Orafti β-fit barley beta-glucan ingredient allows for structure and function claims in the US centered on enhanced satiety, natural appetite control, and energy from whole grains, in addition to FDA-approved heart health claims.

Roquette’s Nutriose soluble fiber

In its most recent fiber research, Roquette has focused primarily on understanding the impact of its Nutriose soluble fiber on the gut microbiota and its potential implications for human health.

The solution is a type of resistant dextrin made from wheat, corn, or peas. Because it resists human digestive enzymes, it travels to the colon intact, where it acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria.

“A growing body of clinical, ex vivo, and mechanistic evidence shows that Nutriose consistently promotes the growth of beneficial microbial taxa, particularly members of the Parabacteroides and Bacteroides genus and other short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria,” says François.

“These findings provide valuable insights into the potential mechanisms linking Nutriose fermentation, microbiota-derived metabolites, and the health benefits observed in human studies.”

The benefits of Nutriose are currently supported by 26 clinical and over 30 preclinical studies, demonstrating positive effects across gut health, blood glucose management, satiety, sustained energy, and emerging areas such as immune and mental well-being. “This provides a strong scientific foundation for product development and consumer confidence,” François notes.