20 Aug 2024
Many people around the world don't get enough fiber in their diets, resulting in several health issues. Imagine creating bakery products that not only taste delicious but also help improve overall health. Our goal is to make it easy for bakers and baked goods producers to create tasty and healthy fiber-rich products. Read on to learn more about the benefits of fiber and how to add it effortlessly to your baked goods.
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Studies show that 40% of the global population have at least one functional gut disorder and a staggering 90% of people globally fall short of the recommended 25g of daily fiber.
There are a host of different health benefits that come from eating the recommended amount of dietary fiber.
These include:
- Weight management: Fiber-rich foods promote a feeling of fullness, which can help with weight loss and management by reducing overall calorie intake.
- Heart health: High fiber intake is associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Soluble fiber, in particular, lowers cholesterol levels - higher cholesterol is a significant risk factor for heart disease.
- Diabetes prevention: Fiber slows sugar absorption, helping maintain stable blood sugar levels and reducing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Alongside these benefits, fiber plays a crucial role in improving gut health. Often referred to as the "second brain," the gut influences overall well-being and mood. A high-fiber diet supports a healthy gut microbiome. This aids in digestion, boosts immune function, and even contributes to your overall mental health. So, the need for high-fiber foods is clear.
Dietary fiber helps to aid gut health in several important ways:
- Fiber promotes a diverse gut microbiome:
Fiber acts as food for beneficial gut bacteria, helping to increase the diversity and abundance of healthy microbes in the gut. A diverse microbiome is associated with better overall health. - Fiber produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs): When gut bacteria ferment fiber, they produce SCFAs, which have various health benefits including reducing inflammation and supporting the gut lining.
- Fiber normalizes bowel regularity: Both soluble and insoluble fiber help promote regular bowel movements and prevent constipation by adding bulk to the stool and drawing water into the intestines.
- Fiber slows digestion: Soluble fiber forms a gel-like substance in the gut, which slows down digestion. This can help regulate blood sugar levels and promote feelings of fullness.
- Fiber supports gut barrier function: Fiber helps maintain the health of the intestinal lining, which is crucial for preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.
- Fiber helps maintain healthy gut bacteria populations: Studies have shown that low-fiber diets can lead to a significant decrease in gut microbe diversity while increasing fiber intake can quickly alter the gut microbiome composition.
One of the best ways to improve the fiber content of baked goods is to add fiber-rich ingredients like whole grains and seeds to recipes.
At Puratos, we’ve developed a range of fiber-rich bakery solutions to easily make your bakery goods more gut-friendly.
Puratos products to help promote high-fiber goods
Our Puravita mixes range for breads offers a convenient way of creating diverse great-tasting baked goods packed with the health benefits of whole grains and seeds.
Puravita-infused breads can help consumers reach the recommended levels of dietary fiber and contribute to a healthy gut. They also naturally contain vitamins and minerals that can provide additional health benefits.
Softgrain are ready-to-use tender sprouts, whole grains, and seeds infused with sourdough – natural fermentation. It combines the benefits of whole grains with natural freshness and superior taste.
Sproutgrain are ready-to-use, sprouted and fermented whole grains and seeds. It’s a unique product that combines both health and taste.
GrainDesign is an innovative new range of whole grains and seed toppings for bakeries. It makes breads look more tasty and nutritious, adding to the recommended fiber intake.
Interested in Puratos gut-friendly products?
Contact your local Puratos sales representative to learn more about our fiber-rich solutions and how they can transform your baked goods into delicious, gut-healthy products.
