SternLife has developed three new fibre-rich prebiotic powder supplements for product concepts targeting the gut health trend. The “Heart”, “Slimming” and “Fibre Plus” variants deliver important ingredients for a healthy gut by combining soluble and insoluble dietary fibres.
The new ingredients can be used to fortify foods as well as beverages. “Heart” and “Slimming” contain special prebiotic dietary fibres for which health claims can be made, while “Fibre Plus” is a pre-and probiotic, as it not only includes prebiotic dietary fibres but also probiotic bacterial strains.
More and more consumers know that dietary fibre plays a key role in gut health and wellbeing. The immune system, in particular, benefits from a healthy intestine. However, few people are able to eat enough fibre-rich food every day to keep their gut in good condition. Food and beverage manufacturers can bridge this nutritional gap with high-quality, functional products that are fortified with dietary fibres.
Healthy heart
A portion of SternLife’s “Heart” prebiotic supplement supplies 34% of the recommended daily fibre intake. Prebiotics are indigestible food components that nourish the gut flora and help to shift the balance towards the “good” intestinal bacteria. As the supplement contains beta-glucans, thiamine and mango powder too, it enables manufacturers to target the heart health market.
Beta-glucans support normal cholesterol levels, while thiamine contributes to normal heart function. In addition, the patented mango fruit powder can have a positive impact on blood circulation in the capillaries.
Healthy weight
With a mango-orange flavour, the ready to use “Slimming” powder just needs to be mixed with water before a meal. “Slimming” includes glucomannan, which triggers a feeling of satiety before meals and contributes to weight reduction as part of a low-calorie diet. Extracts of green tea and green coffee both give an extra boost to the metabolism. The supplement also has a prebiotic effect, and one portion supplies approximately 29% of the recommended daily fibre intake.
Added wellbeing
Finally, SternLife has developed “Fibre Plus”, a high-fibre pre- and probiotic. Its neutral taste means that “Fibre Plus” can be added to various foods, such as cereals and yoghurt, as well as beverages. It contains probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, which promote healthy gut flora, and its prebiotic dietary fibres supply 26% recommended daily intake. A patented plant extract from Perilla frutescens (Shiso) additionally ensures that the dietary fibres are well-tolerated and thus contribute to good digestion and overall wellbeing.
Astrid Pomrehn, Product Developer at SternLife, explained: “Since public awareness of the gut and its importance for health, the immune system and general wellbeing has grown, pro-and prebiotic foods are quite literally on everybody’s lips."
Pomrehn explained that a growing number of consumers want to maintain a healthy intestinal flora and supply it with the right nutrients. "Our new high-quality, powdered fibre supplements offer lots of possibilities for interesting applications and product positionings.”