Fitness and gradual carbohydrates

CONSUMERS in many Asian countries today recognise the importance of exercising and keeping fit in order to stay healthy. There has been a surge in marathon participants in India and China recently [1] while the number of gyms in Hong Kong has increased by 35.6% between 2009 and 2017 in order to cater to fitness enthusiasts[2]. Last year a Mintel study showed that there are more and more Thais and Indonesians who took to exercising in 2017 to stay fit[3].

It is little wonder then that the global market for sports drinks is predicted to reach USD 5.92 billion in 2021, a significant growth from 2016 when the market was worth USD 4.62 billion[4].

The importance of gradual carbohydrates like BENEO’s Palatinose™

Nowadays, consumers are spoilt for choice, with a plethora of sports drinks claiming to increase energy levels and endurance, available at most stores and vending machines. However, these products typically contain high glycaemic carbohydrates like maltodextrin, glucose syrup and sucrose. These carbohydrates release glucose into the bloodstream at rapid rates and slow down fat oxidation in energy metabolism. As a result, consumers will be more vulnerable to large peaks and troughs in blood glucose and insulin levels, inadvertently minimising their fat burning potential.

There is, therefore, a market opportunity for products that contain slowly released carbohydrates that enhance fuel management and endurance and deliver glucose in a balanced and prolonged way, such as BENEO’s Palatinose™.

The slow release carbohydrate, Palatinose™ is derived from sugar beet, which is unique because of its molecular structure. It consists of a glucose and fructose molecule – similar to sucrose. However, in contrast to sucrose the linkage of the molecules is much stronger, which means that the human body can still digest it fully, yet more slowly. As a result, the full carbohydrate energy (glucose) is provided in a more steady and sustained way. The blood glucose levels stay balanced without sudden ups and down and this also helps to burn fat more effectively. An increased fat burning rate means that active consumers can draw on their carbohydrate reserves for longer.

A variety of sports drinks and energy boosters contain only high glycaemic carbohydrates. Gradual carbohydrates are better at enhancing fuel management in a balanced and prolonged way.

Shifting the focus from carb utilisation to fat burning

Looking at BENEO’s recent consumer research, fitness consumers can be divided into three main groups – “Athletes”, “Regular Actives” and Sportive Eaters”. Consumers from each group exercise for different purposes and at varying intensity levels and therefore react differently to nutrients consumed. Despite the difference in physiological needs, however, slowly released carbohydrates play a monumental role across all three groups.

Consumers who compete and train regularly in competitions fall under the “Athletes” group. Efficient fuel management is vital for this performance-driven group as they try to gain an advantage over opponents by competing faster at longer durations. Palatinose™ helps boost the endurance level of these athletes as it supplies steady and sustained energy and promotes fat oxidation.

The “Regular Actives” group includes consumers who exercise recreationally three times a week and consume sports products to support their active lifestyles. One in three consumers falls under this category globally, so it is an important demographic for food manufacturers. Some of the priorities for this group of consumers include maintaining a healthy body weight, improving body tone and to prevent illnesses. Due to its ability to keep blood sugar levels and insulin low, Palatinose™ can improve the fat metabolism of these consumers. As insulin is a storage hormone, fat storage will be minimised while fat fuel will be optimised. In the long term, these consumers will benefit from less fat accumulation and will also be able to prevent health issues such as non-alcoholic fatty liver.

The “Sportive Eaters” group is made up of consumers at the opposite end of the spectrum to athletes. The “Sportive Eater” strives for indulgence but with fitness characteristics, with their food and drink purchasing decisions mostly influenced by weight loss motivators. They seek energy to get them through the day or to embrace a sportier lifestyle without the same level of activity as “Regular Actives”.

These consumers do not engage in much exercise, but consume sports products to look and feel good. As such, Palatinose™ will be a good fit for this group of consumers due to its more efficient fat oxidation properties as compared to the high glycaemic carbohydrates. This switch in types of carbohydrate will protect these consumers from unnecessary peaks and troughs in blood glucose and insulin levels.

Essentially versatile

The functional benefits of a product alone often aren’t enough for it to become a regular feature in consumers’ shopping baskets. Good taste and texture are also essential to attract consumers. 

With this in mind, carbohydrate ingredients need to be able to deliver in terms of technical, as well as nutritional and functional benefits. BENEO’s Palatinose™ has a natural, mild sugar-like taste and and is ideal for use in gels, bars and drinks. In recent recipe formulation trials at BENEO-Technology Center, Palatinose™ was used to create a reduced glycaemic response sports drink powder. The end result was a powder that delivers exceptional results in terms of having a sugar-like taste, is dissolvable in cold water and has excellent flowability and dispersibility.

Reduced Glycaemic Response Sports Drink Recipe

Sports nutrition is extending beyond the scope of catering to elite athletes. There is a growing market of non-athlete consumers who have different fitness habits and goals to meet. With alternative carbohydrates such as Palatinose™, manufacturers can now offer products that are more aligned with the fitness goals of the ”Regular Actives” who exercise around three times a week as well as “Sportive Eaters” who do not exercise as much but are looking to lose weight and stay healthy. The BENEO-Technology Center has developed a wide range of new product concepts including drinks, foods and gels to meet these needs. This shift in trend is timely as more people in Asia want to keep fit and stay healthy.