BENEO ingredient sportifies products

FROM pudding to sports drink, BENEO will show visitors to Health ingredients Europe (27-29 November 2018, Frankfurt) how Palatinose™ can make a food and beverage suitable for mainstream consumers who want sustained energy for the entire day. The company will be in hall 8, booth A51.

With 29% increase in the number of product launches carrying some kind of sports claim over the past two years¹, many manufacturers are developing products targeting consumers who want to lead healthier, more active lives.

Thomas Schmidt, Marketing Director at BENEO, comments: “The particular challenge is that sportified products should be for everybody, not just for athletes. Our focus on sportified products for mainstream consumers has shone the light on the growth potential available to manufacturers who are prepared to be innovative. As more products become available to mainstream consumers, the sports market is forecast to reach more than €15 billion in 2021², presenting a significant growth opportunity for food and drink manufacturers around the world.”

Everyday consumers

According to BENEO, active consumers want products that help them to look and feel good, manage their busy day and maintain a healthier weight. This means that blood sugar management, sustained energy and the fat burning impact are of great importance to them. But many of the sports and fitness-related products on the market don’t fit these particular needs since they contain ‘fast carbohydrates’ such as maltodextrin, glucose syrup and sucrose, which release glucose into the bloodstream very quickly and generally suppress fat oxidation. While suitable for those in need of instant energy, high-glycaemic carbohydrates are not ideal for consumers looking for endurance in their training, for day-to-day sports activities, or for achieving balanced energy levels throughout the day. 

For those who have ever wondered about the fitness levels of endurance athletes, they can also compete or ride alongside the professional triathlete, Marc Rink, to test their own racing capabilities. At BENEO’s stand, he will be demonstrating the endurance potential of Palatinose™, as he cycles throughout the event.

Why Palatinose™

Mr. Schmidt said: “BENEO’s Palatinose™ provides full carbohydrate energy in a more balanced and sustained way, delivering true fuel for life. It has been used in a variety of food and drink solutions that we’re presenting at HiE to highlight the potential that this low glycaemic, yet fully digestible carbohydrate, offers to mainstream sportified applications. This makes BENEO’s Palatinose™ an essential part of the conversation when talking about developing products that truly support active lifestyles.”

Palatinose™ acts as a necessary energy source for the body during activity. As this carbohydrate is fully, yet slowly released it provides glucose (the most effective source of energy for the human body) in a sustained manner. This ensures blood sugar levels stay balanced, which helps to support an improved fat burning rate.

(Photo: Creative Commons Zero)

The team at the BENEO-Technology Center has created a range of new product samples, all of which promote a reduced blood glucose response and will be available at BENEO’s exhibition booth.  These include:

• A blackcurrant sports drink with Palatinose™. This unique blend delivers isotonic refreshment and a reduced blood glucose response
• An energising pink grapefruit -flavoured water containing Palatinose™. With a delicate sweet taste this revitalising refreshment provides hydration and healthy blood sugar levels at the same time.
• A breakfast almond chocolate drink with a velvety mouth-feel that is high in fibre and induces a healthy blood glucose response due to Palatinose™ and the chicory fibre Orafti^® Inulin.
• A creamy and indulgent, dairy-free vanilla pudding with rice flour, rice syrup, rice starch and Palatinose™, that supports balanced blood sugar levels.

1Source: Innova Market Insights 2018

2Source: Innova 2018