According to new data on health concerns from DSM, today’s adults worry more about weight management than any other health issue. The survey contacted almost 7,000 people—both male and female— across ten countries in the EMEA region. Notably, the respondents were more concerned about the prospect of gaining weight rather than feeling the need to lose weight. To address trends towards health and wellness and engage consumer interest, food manufacturers must develop innovative products that are positioned on a weight management platform. Currently, there are a limited number of effective ingredients in this category, but ingredients like DSM’s OatWell® and Fabuless® are helping to make a positive shift.
Being overweight and obese can lead to chronic diseases, such as diabetes. Balanced and varied nutrition, as well as reduced calorie intake, can support a healthy body mass. Satiety plays a key role in effective weight management, as retaining a feeling of fullness reduces the likeliness that an individual will consume more food and energy than their body needs. There are certain foods that can support satiety and other benefits associated with weight management.
Oatterly good for you
Oat beta-glucan is a viscous, functional and soluble fibre found in oats. Soluble fibre is an important dietary ingredient and provides a number of benefits—it helps to control and lower blood sugar levels, limits the absorption of cholesterol in the body, supports heart health and improves bowel function. Its positive impact on weight management is also an emerging benefit.
Oat beta-glucan forms increased viscosity in the intestinal tract. Clinical research conducted on oat beta-glucan and weight and appetite control are currently examining the concept that bioactive oat beta-glucan can provide satiety signals to the brain via its impact on the gut hormones which influence hunger control— peptide YY (PYY) and cholecystokinin (CCK). OatWell oat beta-glucan has shown promising results in promoting satiety in clinical trials.
In addition, OatWell has been used as an innovative component in meal replacement and weight management programs. Comprising a premix blend of vitamins, minerals and essential micronutrients, the meal replacements provide consumers with both the nutrition they need to form a healthy diet and the satiety benefits from OatWell.
With alarming global levels of obesity and its negative health implications, food manufacturers must look to provide nutritional solutions to assist populations in consuming nutrient-rich foods that can support the maintenance of a healthy weight. In doing so, the food industry will also keep up with consumer interest in health and wellness—a trend that doesn’t seem to be going anywhere soon.
