News

Nexira to promote Fibregum at HiE

28 Nov 2016

At Hi Europe (Frankfurt, 29 November – 1 December) Nexira will present what it says are the unique characteristics of, and the latest news about, Fibregum, an all-natural range with 90% fibre.

At Hi Europe (Frankfurt, 29 November – 1 December) Nexira will present what it says are the unique characteristics of, and the latest news about, Fibregum. Fibregum is described as an all-natural range, with a minimum guarantee of 90% dietary fibres, organic certified and the only Non-GMO Project Verified acacia gum.

The company notes that a new non-digestible carbohydrates health claim on glycaemia reduction is now applicable to Fibregum. Since June 20th 2016, Fibregum bears the health claim from Regulation (EU) n°2016/854(1): Consumption of foods/drinks containing acacia gum instead of sugars induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods/ drinks. Nutrition has an impact on our health and well-being, Nexira points out, and carbohydrate management can help with weight and blood sugar control – which is why low-digestible carbohydrate products and sugar substitution are interesting for the food industry and consumers. Through different evaluations, Nexira says that the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) based its opinion on a scientific consensus basis to conclude that sugar replacement in food and beverages by non-digestible carbohydrates induces a reduction of postprandial glycaemia and insulinemia. EFSA specified: “the characteristic which is most relevant to the claimed effect (i.e. reduction of postprandial glycaemic responses by replacing sugars in foods and beverages) is not unique to Fructooligosaccharides (FOS), α-GOS and resistant dextrin but common to other non-digestible carbohydrates (e.g. non-starch polysaccharides, resistant oligosaccharides, resistant starch) because, similarly to FOS, α-GOS and resistant dextrin, non-digestible carbohydrates are resistant to hydrolysis and absorption in the small intestine and therefore do not contribute to postprandial glycaemia.”

According to Nexira, this clearly shows that acacia gum, as a non-digestible carbohydrate, benefits from this scientific consensus, meaning that the validated health relationship is applicable to Fibregum. In order to bear the health claim, at least 30 % of sugars should be replaced in foods or drinks by acacia gum. Therefore, the company says, acacia gum is particularly adapted for Low or Reduced Glycaemic Index (GI) products.

Fibregum is also said to have benefits for oral care with a health claim on tooth mineralization. Since 2016, Fibregum has borne the claim from Regulation (EU) n°2016/854(1): Consumption of foods/beverages containing acacia gum instead of fermentable carbohydrates contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralization. Good oral health is an important part of good overall health. Tooth demineralization, or tooth decay, concerned 44% of the world population in 2010 and thus constitutes a major global public health challenge, Nexira says. Tooth demineralization is caused by the interaction between the tooth surface, the bacterial biofilm (dental plaque) and the presence of sugars from food. Therefore, risk behaviours like eating and drinking foods and beverages high in sugar have impact on oral health.

Through different evaluations, EFSA based its opinion on a scientific consensus basis to conclude that sugar replacement, in food and drinks, by non-fermentable carbohydrates, contributes to the maintenance of tooth mineralization. EFSA specified: “the characteristic which is most relevant to the claimed effect (i.e. not lowering plaque pH below 5,7 during and up to 30 minutes after consumption) is not unique to the food subject to the claim, but common to other non-fermentable carbohydrates (e.g. polyols, D-tagatose, isomaltulose, and polydextrose).”

This clearly shows, says Nexira, that acacia gum, as a non-fermentable carbohydrate, benefits from this scientific consensus, meaning that the validated health relationship is applicable to Fibregum. In order to bear the claim, fermentable carbohydrates should be replaced in foods or drinks by acacia gum in such amounts that consumption of such foods or drinks does not lower plaque pH below 5.7 during and up to 30 minutes after consumption. In addition, foods and beverages containing Fibregum, and respecting these conditions of use, bear the claim tooth friendly.