BENEO at IFT 2026, booth S425: Grounded in Fiber Science, Driving What’s Next
CHICAGO, IFT FIRST 2026 — The viral fibermaxxing wave on social media has played a crucial role in repositioning fiber as a modern, sought-after, and relevant ingredient. It has significantly increased awareness of the fiber gap — the reality that in the US, more than 90% of women and 97% of men still do not meet the recommended dietary fiber intake levels1.
“Fiber isn’t just having a trendy moment; it has become one of the most in-demand nutrients. However, its health benefits are not about quantity, it’s more about balance. Only the right mix of fiber types can offer the benefits consumers are looking for. Brands built on fiber diversity can play a significant role in providing value-added foods and beverages and supporting healthier diets,” said Kyle Krause of BENEO, regional product manager for functional fibers and carbohydrates, North America, and global product manager for BENEO’s beta-glucan-rich, whole-grain barley flour.
Fiber differs in structure, functionality, and benefits. Thoughtfully blending different fiber types yields a variety of health benefits.
“Since different fibers interact with food matrices in very different ways, formulation expertise is key. Our goal is to help manufacturers seamlessly integrate fiber enrichment to achieve a meaningful nutritional boost while maintaining taste and texture,” adds Krause. BENEO is supporting manufacturers in navigating this complexity through smart combinations and science-backed functionality.
Leveraging the Fiber Wave: How Manufacturers Can Take the Lead
BENEO’s fiber toolbox offers versatile solutions, enabling brands to seize key market opportunities by leading with benefit-driven innovation:
- Nourishing the gut microbiota with natural chicory root fibers
Prebiotics from chicory root (fructans) are soluble dietary fibers that reach the large intestine intact, where they are completely fermented by beneficial bacteria. They support on-pack structure/function claims such as “promotes healthy gut bacteria” or “supports the vitality of healthy gut flora” at just 0.75 g/serving. Backed by extensive human clinical data from more than 30 years of studies, these fibers support a healthy microbiome and gut as a foundation for a healthy body. Proven effects go beyond digestive health, including weight management2 and mood improvement3. - Promoting a healthy heart and satiety with barley beta-glucans
BENEO’s Orafti® β-Fit is a wholegrain flour from barley. It delivers soluble, insoluble, fermentable, and viscous fiber all in one due to its unique matrix of beta-glucans, arabinoxylans, and cellulose. Thanks to their viscous properties, these fibers naturally thicken and delay the passage of food through the GI tract, prolonging the feeling of fullness. Brand owners can leverage powerful on-pack structure/function claims centered on enhanced satiety, natural appetite control, and energy from whole grains, in addition to FDA-approved heart health claims. - Boosting fiber, reducing sugar with chicory root or scFOS
BENEO turns a formulation challenge into a double win: Prebiotic fiber from chicory root and short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides (scFOS) from sugar beet enable brands to replace sugar, and in some cases fat, while simultaneously boosting dietary fiber content and lowering calories. Chicory root fiber offers an additional advantage: a proven prebiotic effect at intakes from 3g/day.4 - Fiber plus: Nutrient density with fiber and plant proteins
As the Fibermaxxing focus shifts from “more” to “better”, nutrient density is becoming a key priority, particularly in the context of GLP-1 use, where smaller portions increase expectations for complete nutrition. Combining fiber with other nutrients like plant-based proteins offers a smart and holistic way to deliver more nutrition per bite. Fiber and plant proteins, such as those from faba beans and rice, bring complementary benefits supporting gut health, satiety and muscle maintenance.
Attendees at the Expo in Chicago should make sure to stop by BENEO’s coffee-bar-inspired booth S425. Explore and taste how trends like fibermaxxing, nutrient density, and sugar reduction can go hand in hand with indulgence.
2 Reimer RA, Theis S, Zanzer YC. The effects of chicory inulin-type fructans supplementation on weight management outcomes: systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr. 2024 Sep 21:S0002-9165(24)00751-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2024.09.019. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39313030.
3 World Health Organization, Obesity and Oveweight, 1 March 2024, https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
4 Jackson PPJ, Wijeyesekera A, Williams CM, Theis S, van Harsselaar J, Rastall RA, (2023) Inulin-type fructans and 2’fucosyllactose alter both microbial composition and appear to alleviate stress-induced mood state in a working population compared to placebo (maltodextrin): the EFFICAD Trial, a randomized, controlled trial. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Published 29 August 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.08.016 [1] Nagy DU, Sándor-Bajusz KA, Bódy B, Decsi T, Van Harsselaar J, Theis S & Lohner S (2022) Effect of chicory-derived inulin-type fructans on abundance of Bifidobacterium and on bowel function: a systematic review with meta-analyses. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. Published 14 July 2022, DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2022.2098246
