Dietary Fibers- Market Overview, Trends, and Top Companies

Importance of Dietary Fibers in Daily Diets:

Hectic schedules and tiring work among men and women in recent times have resulted in high consumption of unhealthy food and beverages. This can lead to increasing health issues such as obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, nutrient deficiencies, high risks of cancer, and weak immune system. However, people are steadily realizing these harmful effects and are inclining towards healthy living and good nutrition intake. One of the major consumed nutritious elements is dietary fiber.  

Dietary fibers, also known as roughage, are an essential part of plant-based food that is difficult to digest by the human body. It is considered an essential constituent of a healthy diet. Dietary fibers comprise indigestible parts of the plant, thus making it difficult to break down during digestion and eventually provide energy in the form of calories.

Dietary fibers are mainly found in fruits, whole grains, vegetables, and legumes. There are two types of dietary fibers; soluble fibers and insoluble fibers. Soluble fibers dissolve in water and thus help in lowering the blood cholesterol level. These are found in foods like oats, legumes, and vegetables. On the other hand, insoluble dietary fibers do not dissolve in water and thus help in preventing constipation. These are found in foods like nuts, seeds, whole grains, seeds, and others.

Dietary fibers are beneficial for the human body as these help in normalizing bowel movements. It promotes a healthy and balanced gut microbiome contributing to effective weight management, reducing overall calorie intake. Dietary fibers help in slowing down the absorption of sugar and thus regulate the blood sugar level. It also aids in lowering the cholesterol level, lessening the risk of heart disease. Regular consumption of dietary fiber lowers the risk of developing type 2 diabetes for an individual.

Dietary Fibers- Trends and Top Companies:

Recently, dietary fibers have undergone different transformations and are being integrated into functional food. From fiber-enhanced snacks to beverages, various organizations are navigating innovative ways to incorporate dietary fibers into a variety of products. The demand for customized fiber blends where different types of fibers are combined for collaborative influence, catering to the various health needs and dietary preferences is increasing.

With the rise of e-commerce and technology, consumers are becoming educated and aware of the benefits of dietary fibers, contributing to the increasing demand for the products. Businesses are also focusing on ethical and sustainable sourcing of dietary fibers across the globe. Here are some top countries focused on developing and promoting dietary fibers.

Cargill:

Cargill is one of the leading global food and agricultural companies across the globe that offers different products that incorporate dietary fiber in cereals, snacks, dairy, and baked goods. The firm is also known for its high investment in research and development as well as sustainable sourcing of fibers.

DuPont:

DuPont is a multinational conglomerate, known for its operations in various industries. Its dietary fiber offerings are processed under its Nutrition & Bioscience businesses subsidiary. The firm has been a significant player in the food and nutrition industry, providing a range of food products. It uses dietary fibers in food and beverage applications to enhance their nutritional value and promote healthy living. One of the widely used dietary fibers by DuPont is Litesse. This is a soluble dietary that is often used as a sugar and fat replacement in different foods and beverages.

Ingredion Incorporated:

Ingredion Incorporated is a global ingredient solution company that offers a range of products including nutrition ingredients, sweeteners, starches, and biomaterials to different industries including food and beverages. The firm is also known for offering a selected range of insoluble fibers that can be used in snacks, pasta, baked goods, and other food products. Additionally, the firm has undertaken sustainable and clean-label initiatives where the process of sourcing fiber is environmentally friendly.

Tate & Lyle PLC:

Tate & Lyle PLC is a global supplier of food and beverages and famous for providing a wide range of dietary fibers. Its most famous product line of soluble dietary fibers is Fibersol, known for its versatility and can be incorporated into a variety of food and beverages. The firm focuses on developing products that meet consumer demands for health-conscious and functional options.

Dietary Fiber Market Scenario:

The global dietary fiber market is expected to register a robust CAGR in the forecast period. This is due to various factors such as growing inclination towards a healthy lifestyle, high prevalence of lifestyle-related health issues, rising preferences for plant-based diets, evolving food regulations, and health recommendations, and rising investments in developing advanced dietary fibers. In addition, rising aging population, government initiatives to promote health and wellness, and increasing vegan and vegetarian populations are some other factors expected to drive global market growth going ahead.

However, high processing costs, lack of awareness about importance of dietary fibers among consumers, challenges maintaining the desirable taste and texture, and potential digestive issues are expected to hamper overall market growth during the forecast period.