Carbohydrates are organic substances made of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. Carbohydrates are mostly found in plant-based diets, where they are produced from carbon dioxide and water with the help of energy from sunlight. The human diet contains three types of carbohydrates- sugars, starches, and non-starch polysaccharides. These three types of carbohydrates make up 50–70% of all the calories people consume.
Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that the body is unable to break down and that can pass through the digestive system and into the large intestine. Water-soluble fibers are prebiotics that are fermented in the colon and benefit the gut bacteria. Fibers have grown in popularity in recent years, with several applications in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. In addition, its daily consumption has several advantages, such as reducing appetite, lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease, lowering blood sugar levels, balancing intestinal pH, alleviating constipation, lowering the risk of diabetes, and promoting regular bowel movements. All such factors are promoting the demand for fiber and specialty carbohydrates in the market. According to OMR Research, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% during the forecast period (2022–2028).
Segments of the Market
The global fibers and specialty carbohydrates market is divided on the basis of application and distribution channels. Based on application, the market is subdivided into functional food and beverages, personal care, animal nutrition, dietary supplements, and others (pharmaceutical and nutraceutical). Moreover, based on the distribution channel, the market is subdivided into online and offline.
Recent Developments
The market players, such as Grain Processing Corp., Amway Corp., SunOpta, Inc., Danone S.A., Archer Daniels Midland Co., Nestle, Sudzucker AG, DuPont de Nemours Inc., FMC Corp., and others, are contributing to the fibers and specialty carbohydrates market through various mergers, acquisitions, investments, and new product launch activities. Some of the recent market developments include:
• In November 2022, Oceanium, a seaweed-based product manufacturer, announced the launch of its first product, the OCEAN HEALTH Fiber, a clean-label replacement for methylcellulose. The solution, according to the company, improves moisture retention and water binding ability, as well as viscosity, texture, and gelling qualities in finished products. It has equal functional qualities and improved organoleptic features, which can lessen the requirement for additional salt. It is also a great meat substitute and can be used to prepare plant-based meat as well as gluten-free breads and drinks.
• In November 2022, Omya, a Swiss industrial mineral specialist, launched a new series of fiber supplements in powder form. The products come in various particle densities and flavors. According to the company, manufacturers can also utilize the powders to improve the fiber content of the completed product, allowing them to make on-pack claims such as "source of fiber" or "rich in fiber" if necessary. These powders can be used in baking, snacks, and other vegan foods and nutritional beverages.
• In November 2022, Louis Dreyfus Company B.V. (LDC) announced the development of a novel product made from not-from-concentrate (NFC) orange juice. The product has a 30% reduction in natural sugar content and more than a fourfold increase in dietary fiber content, while maintaining the original flavor (Brix value) and vitamin C level. The new product is available to global customers, including in South America, Europe, and North America. The commercial roll-out of the new product is initially focused on Asia Pacific, with an initial launch planned for early 2023 in China.
• In November 2022, Diabexy, a firm that creates low glycemic load food items for diabetics, created "Diabexy Sugar Control Atta" to aid in the battle against diabetes and the management of blood sugar levels. The product is high in protein, dietary fiber, and energy value. It is an effective treatment for people suffering from insulin resistance, high blood pressure, arthritis, diabetes, obesity, heart disease, intestinal diseases, cancer, obesity, skin problems, sexual weakness, and overall weakness.
Conclusion
Fibers and specialty carbohydrates play an important role in health management. They are essential to maintaining the digestive system's function, balancing blood sugar levels, and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. They are used to treat people who have malnutrition, gastrointestinal issues, or cardiovascular illnesses. Food and beverage businesses include nutritional components in their products because of the health advantages they provide. Such factors are assisting in the market’s growth exponentially. In addition, the prevalence of diabetes mellitus is becoming a critical global issue. The numbers have increased significantly over the past 40 years and will do so in the future. According to the WHO, diabetes cases grew from 108 million in 1980 to 422 million in 2019. Fibers of all kinds have been associated with decreased or slower absorption of sugar and fat from food, preventing a rise in blood sugar levels after meals. Additionally, regular fiber ingestion has directly reduced the incidence of colorectal cancer. The occurrence of colorectal cancer has been reported to be extremely low in areas with high fiber intake. All these factors are proving to be significant in the market’s growth during the forecast period.