BENEO used this year’s Health Ingredients Europe (HiE) exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany, to demonstrate how processors can create innovative, sports-related foods and drinks that appeal to mainstream consumers.

With an impressive 29% increase in the number of product launches carrying some kind of sports claim during the past two years, it’s clear that many manufacturers are helping consumers lead healthier, more active lives. 

“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,” says Thomas Schmidt, BENEO marketing director. “As more products become available to mainstream consumers, the sports market is forecast to reach more than €15 billion in 2021, presenting a significant growth opportunity for food and drink manufacturers around the world.”

Active consumers want products that help them look and feel good, manage their busy day and maintain a healthier weight. This means that they place greater value on benefits of managing blood sugar levels, sustaining energy and burning fat. At present however, many sports and fitness-related products on the market contain “fast carbohydrates” such as maltodextrin, glucose syrup and sucrose. These release glucose into the bloodstream very quickly and generally suppress fat oxidation. 

Although suitable for those in need of instant energy, high-glycemic 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, HiE attendees could compete or ride alongside the professional triathlete, Marc Rink, to test their own racing capabilities. At BENEO’s stand he was demonstrating the endurance potential of Palatinose™, as he cycled throughout the exhibition. 

“BENEO’s Palatinose™ provides full carbohydrate energy in a more balanced and sustained way, delivering true fuel for life,” Schmidt adds. “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 glycemic, 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.”

BENEO’s 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. 

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

•    A blackcurrant sports drink with Palatinose™. This unique blend delivers isotonic refreshment and a reduced blood glucose response.

•    An energizing pink grapefruit-flavored water containing Palatinose™. With a delicate sweet taste this revitalizing refreshment provides hydration and healthy blood sugar levels at the same time.

•    A breakfast almond chocolate drink with a velvety mouthfeel that is high in fiber and induces a healthy blood glucose response due to Palatinose™ and the chicory fiber 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.

BENEO’s Palatinose™ is a smart release carbohydrate, derived from sugar beet.  It is unique because of its molecular structure. As a disaccharide Palatinose™ 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 the human body digests 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. 

For further information on BENEO and its ingredients, please visit: www.beneo.com and www.beneonews.com or follow BENEO on Twitter: @_BENEO or LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/beneo 

About BENEO

BENEO offers functional ingredients derived from chicory roots, beet sugar, rice and wheat. BENEO is the ideal partner to help improve a product in its nutritional and technological characteristics. Key nutritional benefits are ‘less fat’, ‘less sugar’, ‘less calories’, ‘added fibre’, ‘gluten-free’ and dairy alternatives as well as energy management, digestive, bone and dental health. Key technological benefits focus on taste and texture improvements. 

Through a unique chain of expertise, including the BENEO-Institute that provides decisive insights into nutrition science and legislation, and the BENEO-Technology Center that consults in application technology, BENEO actively supports customers in the development of more balanced and healthy food products.

BENEO is a division of the Südzucker Group that employs more than 1,000 people and has production units in Belgium, Chile, Germany and Italy. 

Visit www.BENEO.com.