Changing lifestyles along with the growth of the elderly population have triggered the expansion of the dietary fiber market. Analysts at Technavio predict the global dietary fiber market to register a CAGR of around 13% by 2020. Categorized into soluble and insoluble fiber, dietary fiber has gained popularity among the world’s youth, resulting in the need for stringent government regulations and guidelines.
So, what exactly is driving the dietary fiber market at the global level?
To begin with, the level of awareness regarding lifestyle related diseases among the masses has increased manifold in the last few decades. Primarily a result of urbanization and consumerism, the incidence of diseases such as stroke, heart disease, obesity, and type two diabetes has increased substantially. Even children are suffering from several of these diseases, which makes it quite important that something substantial be done to overcome the situation. As dietary fiber provides optimal nutrition and helps in curbing lifestyle-related diseases, a number of households are working to incorporate it into their daily food intake. Usually sold as food additives and supplements, dietary fiber is quite helpful in treating gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation, diarrhea and in reducing cholesterol levels in addition to aiding in the weight loss process.
Another major driver of the global fiber market is the growing demand for bakery products that contain natural ingredients such as dietary fibers and whole grains. Dietary fibers in bread and bakery products are supposed to regulate and support intestinal flora and ease the digestion process. Additionally, with technological advancements, it is now much easier to keep bakery products fresher for a longer period of time. Thus, it has become easier to replace the fats and other additives typically used in baking with healthy dietary fibers without compromising on quality and taste. This is why bakery items with healthy ingredients have become a major ‘hit.’
Global Dietary Fiber Market by Geography (2015)
Source: Technavio
After bakery products, the growing popularity of cereal bars has boosted the demand for dietary fibers. It isn’t just athletes who incorporate cereal bars into their daily diet; health enthusiasts have also chosen cereal bars as a part of healthy lifestyle. As cereal bars are high in fiber, they are regarded as healthy snacks for weight management and appetite suppression. They are also fortified with omega 3 and other vital vitamins and minerals. Moreover, because of cereal bars’ long shelf life and portability, a number of food product companies are manufacturing them on a large scale. This explains how the popularity of cereal bars is directly linked to the growth of dietary fiber market.
Lastly, there has been a growing demand for dietary fiber in animal and pet feed as well. Due to its essential role in laxation and stool quality, dietary fibers have gained momentum in the pet food industry as well. The prebiotics that dietary fibers supply aid in the growth of friendly bacteria in the intestines of dogs and cats. It also increases satiety in cats and dogs, which helps in weight loss programs for obese and overweight animals.
Thus, dietary fiber is not just for human beings, but also for animals, and has emerged as a great health supplement, which explains the double-digit growth that the market is poised to witness.
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