Low GI fibres for weight management

Inulin is low-glycaemic and can be used in foods designed for weight management, claims Sensus.

The Dutch company is among the first to position inulin, better known for its gut health properties, as a weight loss ingredient, and has been communi-cating the market opportunities at a series of seminars around Europe.

While studies suggest that a low-glycaemic index diet may not be more effective on weight loss than a low-fat, high-GI diet, the findings show that low glycaemic foods - those with a slow release of sugar - tend to decrease the risk of obesity-related disease.

Sensus is represented in Australia by Swift & Co.

Other fibres are low on the glycaemic index too, and Sensus is not alone in trying to develop this market. Danisco's Litesse brand polydextrose, the Acatris FenuLife fenugreek extract, and Taiyo Kagaku's SunFiber, produced from guar beans, are all being targeted at this new category.