Fibre-powered drinks
traditionally been found and consumed in solid foods such as
cereals, vegetables and fruits. A new generation of soluble fibres
- formulated by a number of ingredients companies in Europe and
elsewhere - allows the addition of dietary fibre to various foods,
including dairy, beverage and confectionery products.
As science accumulates evidence that supports the benefits to our overall health of a regular soluble fibre intake, food manufacturers adding fibre to products such as beverages can clearly help to increase the total dietary fibre intake in a population.
Danish ingredients company Danisco Sweeteners this week confirmed that its product - Litesse - (polydextrose) is one such fibre, emphasising its suitability for beverages. Hailing the virtues of its low-calorie probiotic, the company said this week that Litesse has several advantages, in particular its solubility and clarity in solution that makes it completely transparent in water. The advantage for food processors is that they can add fibre to water and to clear beverages.
Emphasising the advantages further, Danisco Sweeteners claimed that Litessse is a suitable alternative to other soluble fibres on the market that can only be used in semi-solid and opaque processed food products. In addition, according to the company, its stability at high temperatures and at low pH ensures that the final product maintains it organoleptic quality and its fibre level during the manufacturing process and throughout its shelf life.
In Europe the recommended daily intake of dietary fibre stands at 30g.
