New Study Shows Chicory Root Fibres Selectively Increase Bifidobacteria Independent of Food Application and Matrix

A recently published study[i] conducted by researchers from The Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences University of Reading (UK), in collaboration with the BENEOInstitute, demonstrates that prebiotic chicory root fibres support the selective growth of Bifidobacteria in the human gut, no matter which food application and food matrix they are used in. This is good news for producers wanting to bring the bifidogenic effect and gut health benefits of prebiotic chicory root fibre to a wide variety of consumer food products.

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Encouraging the growth of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria is important as it supports human health via positive effects on the gut environment. It also creates less favourable living conditions for potential pathogen bacteria and has benefits beyond digestive health for overall well-being. The bioavailability and therefore, efficacy, of some ingredients and nutrients has been found to be impacted by the food matrix they are in. As a result, certain benefits cannot be credibly claimed by producers, as the ingredient’s function may differ depending on the application or matrix it is used in. However, the study shows that when incorporating prebiotic chicory root fibre into food application, this is not the case. This is a key factor for producers to consider given that three in four consumers who buy prebiotics state product efficacy as a key purchasing factor (76%)[ii].