From Prebiotic Fiber to Gut Health

Curious about how prebiotic fibers can support gut health? Explore how Roquette’s soluble fibers help maintain digestive balance and well-being.

Why Prebiotics Matter for Gut Health

Consumers are increasingly aware of the impact of their diet on their health and are shifting towards healthier food choices. Gut health is becoming a priority for many consumers, who consider fiber an essential component for maintaining digestive wellness and balance.

How do consumers consider fibers?

Consumers understand the impact of their diet on their health. This is likely why trends are growing around healthier products.

Fiber is an important key that unlocks digestive health benefits and keeps things in balance. Consumers largely believe that dietary fiber is related primarily to regularity. Digestive wellness and balance go beyond. Improving gut and digestive health is among the top 3 of consumers’ dietary decisions, with 17% of global consumers taking action to consume foods that support digestion and gut health and eat a diet richer in fiber.¹

Growing awareness of gut health has created a significant space and opportunity for prebiotic products. By 2024, 64% of consumers globally reported being familiar with prebiotics, a marked increase from 54% in 2022.²

Correspondingly, the proportion of those who purchased prebiotics within the past year has grown from 30% in 2022 to 52% in 2024, indicating rapid growth both in awareness and adoption.²Consumer demand for prebiotics in functional foods and beverages is on the rise, with 23% of global respondents actively seeking prebiotics to support gut health.³

_{1. FMCG GURUS. (2022). Survey, Global and regional prebiotics.}
_{2. FMCG GURUS. (2025).}
_{3. Innova Market Insights. (2025). Innova Trends Survey.}

Healthy Gut Through Microbiota Balance

Bacteria live on and within us, mostly in a mutually beneficial relationship. The lower digestive tract or colon is home to many billions of various bacteria. They are called microbiota and are both good and not so good. Beneficial bacteria are believed to provide important health benefits that scientists are rapidly uncovering.

Each person has a unique combination of microbiota. Different factors can influence microbiota composition: age, diet, environment, genes, or medications.

Scientists agree that these bacteria – and their activities – are important for our health which is why it is important to keep a good balance between the colonic bacteria. Supporting a balanced and functional microbiota is key to maintaining gut health.

How can we keep our microbiota in good health?

Dietary ingredients such as pre-, pro- and syn- biotics can positively support the microbiota.

Probiotics are live microorganisms that when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit, whereas prebiotics are food for beneficial bacteria. They are used by the good type of bacteria. Prebiotics positively impact the gut environment. They promote a healthy gut with an overall health benefit beyond the digestive tract. And synbiotics are a mixture of pre- and probiotics that can be complementary or synergistic.

Part of prebiotics are soluble dietary fibers that can modulate a selection of bacteria and demonstrate linked health benefits. All fibers are not prebiotics, and all prebiotics are not fibers. The health benefits of fibers are not the same for all fibers.

There are two types of fibers: soluble and insoluble. Insoluble fibers act as bulk and are non-viscous. Among the soluble fibers, some are viscous, and some aren’t. They have different mechanisms of action, with different associated health benefits. Most of the soluble fibers are used as a substrate in the colon to be fermented by the bacteria. NUTRIOSE^® is a soluble and non-viscous fiber.

Studies show that NUTRIOSE^® soluble fiber can be considered as a prebiotic that supports the growth and effectiveness of beneficial bacteria. In short, NUTRIOSE^® helps keep the gut in good shape, all for your greater comfort! Its outstanding digestive tolerance makes it a good partner to fill the fiber gap and contributes to good gut health.

NUTRIOSE^® is a range of soluble dietary fibers, obtained from non-GMO corn or wheat. They are simple to use and easy to supplement most types of food with fiber.

They also show health benefits demonstrated by clinical studies:

low caloric value,
blood glucose management thanks to low glycemic and insulinemic responses,
gut health through a prebiotic effect,
satiety and weight management,
sustained energy release.

More recently, research has provided initial evidence that NUTRIOSE® may also benefit immune health and may contribute to mental well-being by stimulating the gut-brain axis, which could improve sleep quality and decrease anxiety-related behaviors.

_{This scientific information is provided to food operators for awareness only. It is not intended to be communicated to or shared with consumers. NUTRIOSE^® health benefits are supported by at least one clinical study and do not constitute a regulatory validation for health claims. Food manufacturers who would like to use NUTRIOSE^® soluble fiber for these benefits will have to run their own studies based on their own formulation, and respect regulatory claims validation process where appropriate.}