The nutrition-health market is very large and offers numerous solutions. The things you look for to proactively improve your well-being or if you are ill, there is a large choice of products available to you.
COSUCRA ‘s PISANE™ pea protein and FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre combine nutritional benefits and low environmental impact resulting in unique and sustainable nutritional-health products.
FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibres are dietary fibres that are not hydrolyzed, digested, absorbed or excreted through the gastro-intestinal tract. In that way they are 100% fermented in the colon. The large intestine is often unjustly be seen as a forgotten organ, because many important metabolic actions take place, mainly saccharolytic fermentation for carbohydrates in the ascending colon and proteolytic fermentation for proteins in the descending colon. The microbiota or living organisms inside the gut or microbiome have an impact on the metabolism, immune system, and hormone excretion. In the large intestine, the colonic microflora is responsible for fermentation of the chicory root fibre to 10% CO2, H2 and CH4, 40% bacterial biomass and 50% SCFA’s (short chain fatty acids). These SCFA’s, named propionate, acetate and butyrate (among others) may play a role in many health issues as they give fuel to colon cells, lowering blood cholesterol and possibly protect against colon cancer. The gut microbiota is the community of micro-organisms that are present in the gut. These microbiota are of raising interest for markets and consumers as there is a lot of scientific evidence for the link between microbiota and health. Gut microbiota are partially influenced by a heritage component but larger determinants are environmental factors like medications, location and diet. In fact, diet is the crucial contributor to maintain a balanced gut microbiota. In addition to the metabolic role, the gut microbiota also function as: In case of an unbalanced microbiota between good and pathogen micro-organisms (also called dysbiosis), inflammatory conditions will appear and lead to the development of chronic diseases. A western diet, for example, too high in sugar and fat, will lead to many unfavourable health conditions. Probiotics are live strains of strictly selected microorganisms which confer a health benefit when consumed or applied to the body. Probiotics need a substrate to grow. We call these substrates prebiotics and they are as important for the health and balance of the microbiome as probiotics. Chicory root fibers like FIBRULINE™ are not digested in the small intestine and reach the colon intact where they are totally, and selectively, fermented by intestinal microflora (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli) and confer a health benefit to the host. Hence chicory root fibres meet the scientifically recognized definition of “prebiotic”. They have following different functions: FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre as a soluble dietary fibre has shown benefits in stool frequency, stool consistency and reduced constipation. This can be of interest for constipated persons, elderly, women or babies. With a recommended daily dose of 10 g of soluble fibre per day, FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre is accepted as a well-tolerated prebiotic for adults. A daily dose of 5 g of FIBRULINE™ has a prebiotic effect supported by scientific data! Whether it is to save the planet, protect animals, care for their own health… these and many more reasons are driving more and more consumers to turn to flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan diets. However, reducing or even eliminating animal proteins from one’s diet does have an impact on the daily nutrient intake. This is why manufacturers are taking a fresh approach to meeting nutritional requirements through food products, be it mainstream or specific products. With PISANE™ pea protein, you offer consumers a vegetable protein with a high nutritional value, an alternative source of protein that is plant-based, more sustainable, and products that are tasty thanks to its functional properties, but also good for the planet and health because of the way it is sourced! We can choose from the many diets trending at the moment to reduce or manage our weight: low-calorie and low-fat diet, low glycaemic index (GI) diet, ketogenic diet, to name but a few. However, in order to select the right diet for our needs, we first need to understand what managing our weight means! No lack of challenges: we need to maintain muscle mass, reduce calorie intake, manage the feeling of hunger... Since they are not digestible, chicory root fructans do not affect blood glucose levels after meals or the response to insulin. They are therefore an ideal ingredient in the prevention of diabetes, which is more and more prevalent in the world population. FIBRULINE™, chicory root fibre, can be used as a healthy substitute for digestible carbohydrates (including free sugars) in foods formulated to help prevent blood sugar (glucose) disorders in sufferers. When at least 30% of the sugars are replaced by non-fermentable target carbohydrates, such as chicory root fibre, “consumption of foods/drinks containing inulin or oligofructose instead of sugars induces a lower blood glucose rise after their consumption compared to sugar-containing foods/drinks,” as explained by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority). PISANE™ pea protein has a particularly high nutritional value and plays a major role in weight management: indeed, proteins are involved in managing the feeling of hunger, in improving blood glucose control and in maintaining muscle mass. Fats provide the body with 9 kcal/gramme, making it the food component with the highest energy content. Although vital, fats are the foods with the highest amount of calories and should therefore be consumed in moderation to prevent excess weight and obesity. There is a strong correlation between heart disease and arteriosclerosis and the intake of trans fatty acids and saturated fatty acids. Limiting the intake of saturated and trans fatty acids can contribute to better health when replaced with appropriate nutrients such as FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre, rather than refined carbohydrates. A report published by the WHO states that the number of obese people worldwide has tripled since 1975! Proteins play an essential role in the nutrition of athletes. And it’s not just a question of quantity: the nutritional quality of the proteins is paramount. Why do you need to consume more protein before, during or after you practice a sport? Muscle protein synthesis, muscle mass gains or to facilitate recovery after training… Plenty of reasons to ingest protein, also determined by the time of the food intake. As we age, our bodies change and so do our dietary needs. This is why, at COSUCRA, we focus especially on offering the best of chicory root and pea protein for products used in senior nutrition. Among the challenges: prevention of sarcopenia, effect on the risks of osteoporosis, weight management, and many more. Thanks to its high nutritional value, PISANE™ pea protein has proven to be a great success in the formulation of products for seniors. In particular, with its high leucine content (~ 8% in pea protein), PISANE™ helps maintain muscle mass in older populations. Indeed, sarcopenia (loss of skeletal muscle mass) is more prevalent with ageing. The high digestibility of PISANE™ (~ 98%) is a great asset for this type of product. Finally, because of its unique functional properties, PISANE™ can be used to formulate any type of product supplemented with protein – from ready-to-drink beverages to soups, including desserts. It has been scientifically proven that FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre stimulates calcium absorption and retention, as well as bone mineralisation in humans. Complementing these fibres, the PISANE™ pea protein has a particularly high lysine and arginine content – two amino acids involved in the maintenance of bone density. European consumers want to address their digestive health for their overall health and well-being. FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre, easy-to-use and highly soluble invisible fibre, can help in the promotion of digestive health. Learn more in this insight on digestive health. COSUCRA believes in the future of food. We are commited to promote a modern, healthy and sustainable nutrition by concentrating the benefits of nature in easy-to-use, integrated solutions that respect consumer choices. FIBRULINE™, chicory root fibre or chicory inulin, is an easy-to-use dietary fibre obtained from chicory roots. While being certified as a naturally-sourced ingredient, it has several health and nutritional benefits as for example fibre enrichment, improvement of digestive health and sugar and fat substitute.DIGESTIVE HEALTH
METABOLISM OF CHICORY FRUCTANS
GUT HEALTH AND GUT MICROBIOTA
PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS, AND SYNBIOTICS
DIGESTIVE HEALTH AND TOLERANCE
DID YOU KNOW?
VEGETARIANS & VEGANS
A HIGH-QUALITY PROTEIN
A SUSTAINABLE PROTEIN
Pea proteins are among the most sustainable plant proteins: “clean” cultivation, optimal use of natural resources and many other benefits for the planet!
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
Thanks to their nutritional properties, FIBRULINE™ chicory root fibre and PISANE™ pea protein play major roles in weight management, without compromising on pleasure!Blood glucose management
Pea protein and weight management
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION
DIGESTIBILITY
EXCESS WEIGHT AND OBESITY
DID YOU KNOW?
SPORTS NUTRITION
NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION
DIGESTIBILITY
SENIOR NUTRITION
FOOD ENJOYMENT AND NUTRITION FOR SENIORS, IS THAT POSSIBLE?
SENIORS AND BONE HEALTH
Insight FIBRULINE™ for digestive health
COSUCRA corporate brochure
FIBRULINE™, chicory root fibre, ingredient’s brochure