FoodBev Media’s Martin White spoke with Klaudia Volmer, product manager at Beneo, about the functional benefits of Palatinose, a naturally sourced smart carbohydrate derived from sugar beet which releases energy in a slower and more balanced way than pure sucrose.
Volmer claims that Palatinose is a superior solution for consumers when compared to high glycaemic carbohydrates, as it balances blood glucose levels to provide a steady source of energy, promotes fat burning and provides a sugar-like taste and mouthfeel.
The ingredient can replace sucrose on a 1:1 scale in products, and can be combined with other sweeteners to achieve a tailored sweetness profile.
Palatinose is suitable for a wide range of applications such as baked goods and breakfast cereals, but Volmer explains that beverages are the main area of focus for Beneo, due partially to the growth in demand for reduced-sugar beverages from consumers.
“Beverage is of course one of the main applications, as this is mainly what consumers are concerned about when talking about sugar consumption.
“70% of German consumers say that beverages are the main source of sugar, and this is why this is an application that it of high interest to us.”
“The key is that Palatinose really tastes good, so that you have a sports beverage that provides a pleasant sweetness while providing a function for your body that allows you to keep going until the end.”
“We use the example of sports nutrition because the benefit of having a slower insulin release is understood by athletes, and we want to show this benefit to mainstream consumers who are not yet aware of this.
“We are taking the advantage that a niche group is already aware of this benefit, and they can convey this message to the everyday consumer and also to the food and nutrition industries.”
Presented and edited by: Martin White
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