Webinar preview: Ingredion addresses consumer well-being with solutions to support metabolic health

In Ingredion’s upcoming webinar, experts from the company are set to present the latest trends in health and wellness, with a focus on how increasing global obesity rates are influencing consumer behaviors and propelling industry innovations.

The company will also explore how the obesity epidemic affects purchasing decisions, with a growing number of consumers seeking products that promote a healthier lifestyle and support metabolic health.

According to Ingredion, the webinar, titled, “Innovative ingredients: Empowering metabolic health,” looks to provide valuable insights into how companies can adapt product lines to reflect the latest lifestyle trends. This includes the use of innovative ingredients that support metabolic health, demonstrated through research and practical examples of product reformulation that respond to consumer demands for healthier options.

“Consumers are looking for food and beverage launches to provide a variety of wellness benefits, including products that support a healthy body weight, heart health and other benefits,” Vanessa Bailey, Senior Manager, Healthful Solutions Global Strategy and Innovation at Ingredion tells Nutrition Insight.Vanessa Bailey, Senior Manager, Healthful Solutions Global Strategy and Innovation at Ingredion.

At the same time, she notes that consumers are showing a strong preference for products that are natural, clean-labeled and free from artificial ingredients and says the trend reflects a broader willingness among consumers to spend more on products that meet these criteria.

Additionally, she states that an increasing number of consumers are actively examining ingredient and nutrition labels and many are making concerted efforts to enhance their health by choosing foods and drinks that support bodily functions, underscoring a shift towards proactive health management.

“In response to consumer demands, manufacturers are prioritizing multifaceted (re)formulation efforts, which include increased protein and fiber, clean labels, sugar reduction, indulgence, health claims and benefits. In Ingredion’s 2023 survey of manufacturers, food and beverage producers noted a marked rise in adjusting their products based on evolving consumer preferences and retailer demands compared to our earlier research in 2021.”

“The capacity to swiftly respond to consumer needs by offering nutritionally enhanced products with added value plays a crucial role in expanding market presence and enhancing financial performance.”

Honing in on weight management

Jing Zhou, Senior Manager, Nutrition Science, at Ingredion tells us that she will examine the importance of innovation in product development and highlight how Ingredion is at the forefront of creating ingredients that enable manufacturers to produce healthier foods without compromising on taste or quality. Bailey spotlights that consumers are seeking multifunctional ingredients that can address issues such as body weight and heart health.

Examples include advancements in reducing sugar content and enhancing products with added proteins and fibers, which cater to the nutritional needs of today's health-conscious consumer.

Zhou points out that the rising rates of obesity and related health issues such as type 2 diabetes are spurring the demand for innovative ingredients that support healthy body weight and enhance metabolic health.

“Scientists estimate that only 2% of individuals who are obese received pharmacotherapy — the emerging anti-obesity medications may provide a paradigm shift to this situation,” Zhou stresses. “While more consumers are embracing the medications, they also need to pay attention to adjusting their dietary habits to support the changing appetite, body composition and other factors to meet essential nutrients intake.”

“This presents a significant opportunity for the food and beverage industry to develop products that cater to the dietary needs of consumers, whether they are using anti-obesity medications or not, but still require dietary interventions to ensure adequate nutrient intake.”

What’s driving innovation

Zhou spotlights that all demographic groups — including children, adolescents, adults and seniors — need support for metabolic health to manage weight, regulate blood sugar and sustain overall well-being.Jing Zhou, Senior Manager, Nutrition Science, at Ingredion.

For instance, she reveals that elderly people, in particular, face diminished muscle protein synthesis in response to dietary protein, necessitating higher protein intake than current guidelines suggest to maintain their health effectively, whereas fiber deficiency was found to occur within all age groups.

“An estimated 95% of American adults and children do not consume enough fiber,” Zhou underscores. “Therefore, insufficient fiber consumption is a common phenomenon that needs to be addressed among people of all life stages.”

“This widespread fiber deficiency presents a significant opportunity for food and beverage manufacturers to innovate and develop products fortified with fiber to meet the dietary needs of consumers across all age groups.”

Opportunities and challenges

According to Zhou, the health and wellness market is anticipated to keep evolving, emphasizing clean-label products, personalized nutrition and functional foods tailored to specific health needs, such as metabolic health. Zhou points out that consumers who are utilizing anti-obesity medications must also adjust their dietary habits, which presents opportunities for the industry to innovate.

Within this space, she states that some of the main ingredient opportunities include dietary fibers, non-nutritive sweeteners and pulse proteins. Meanwhile, taste and texture remain the biggest formulation challenges.

“Reducing sugar and adding protein and fiber can affect the taste and texture of products,” she explains. “Overcoming this requires formulation expertise that can support varying consumer types without compromising sensory attributes — stevia and its derivatives can support consumers’ need to reduce sugar intake, manage blood glucose levels and support a healthy body weight.”

“Ingredients like HI-MAIZE resistant starch, which has the potential to regulate blood glucose levels and also support heart health through improving the blood lipid profile, are gaining attention,” Zhou concludes. “Pea protein and other pulse-based proteins have the potential to support muscle preservation, satiety and blood sugar management.”

The webinar will be broadcast on October 22, at 10:00 CEST in Europe and 9:00 CDT, 10:00 EDT and 16:00 CEST in the Americas. It will include insightful and informative presentations from both Bailey and Zhou, as well as question and answer session with the audience and speakers.