Blends with Stevia, a non-chemical sweetener, and insoluble dietary fibres, will be used in three high sugar demonstration products – jam, ketchup and chocolate powder – instead of the chemical sweeteners normally used to make calorie-reduced products. The dietary fibres are derived from a natural source in the form of recycled residue from manufacturers of apple juice and oat-based products.
The project will demonstrate the positive effects stevia and dietary fibre have on public health issues regarding diabetes and obesity, with up to 90% reduction of calorie levels and remarkable improvement of digestion. Chemical sweeteners are said not to be biodegradable and are avoided by a number of people.
Using natural recycled dietary fibres also adds bulk and texture, cutting the cost of using other bulking agents.