Studies boost the Inulin market after the discovery of its health benefits

• Most commonly used as a fat and sugar replacer, and increasingly to make claims for gut health benefits, the fibre can also boost bone strength, help control blood sugar levels and may even reduce cholesterol.
• One of the leading inulin makers, Orafti has been influential in building the science behind this ingredient, backing the research on inulin's interaction with calcium.
• It is now set to benefit from the results of a long-term trial, reported in the August issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 82, issue 2, pp 471-6), which found that daily consumption of a combination of short- and long-chain inulin-type fructans increased calcium absorption and enhanced bone mineral density among teenagers by about 15 per cent.
• "It is the only ingredient, apart from calcium, that can make the claim that it improves bone mineral density," Dominique Speleers, VP of sales and marketing, told NutraIngredients.com.
• "And with 'enriched with calcium' claims becoming so common, we can offer a point of difference to food makers seeking to enter this market."
• The results showed that inulin had a significantly lower GI than sucrose when it replaced sugar in chocolate or ice cream.
• "We've also seen some indications that it lowers cholesterol, although we aren't promoting this yet as we have only done animal studies and this is not enough for us," added Speleers.
• These new research directions will give Orafti and other inulin makers significant room for growth, particularly as they face growing pressure from other fibres making prebiotic claims.
• Orafti says its ingredient brand Beneo -- now replacing the trade name of its inulin and oligofructose (Raftiline and Raftilose) as well as being used on product packaging -- will help it stand out from other prebiotics and also give its smaller customers a hand in communicating the health benefits.