Polydextrose is an extremely versatile ingredient based on its functionality and health benefits. Food manufacturers must use polydextrose powder because of its unique qualities related to high-fiber quality, texture, and moisture in beverages and baked goods.

Polydextrose shows many properties in terms of functionality and does not add any calories to the foods. As a result, polydextrose has become an excellent choice for food manufacturers to produce healthy food.

Polydextrose is now being used in the baking and beverage industry as it is a rich source of soluble dietary fiber. Polydextrose being a soluble dietary fiber helps to produce healthy microbes in the gut therefore acting as a prebiotic. Thus, the use of polydextrose is a more beneficial option because it can produce healthier food products that are natural and sustainable.

Food manufacturers are more focused on improving the existing line of production instead of making an entirely new product by researching. Polydextrose is a boon for food manufacturers aiming to produce low-carb, fiber rich food products.

Also Read: Difference Between Polydextrose and Inulin?

Polydextrose Market Growth Analysis

The polydextrose ingredient market is estimated to secure a value of USD 176 million in 2024 and will increase to USD 255.5 million by 2033. The market is expected to grow at a rate of 3.8% CAGR during this forecast period.

The probiotic benefits of polydextrose are one of the factors contributing to the rapidly increasing demand for polydextrose in the food ingredient market.
The increased application of polydextrose in bakery, beverages & drinks, and nutraceutical industries can be attributed to its probiotic benefits and functional properties.
Food manufacturers are focused on increasing the market share of the food and beverage industries. Due to the growing popularity of polydextrose in food processing industries new entrants are also trying to enter the market.
Understanding How Polydextrose Works
Polydextrose is neutral in taste, and a low-calorie soluble fiber that also acts as a bulking agent. It helps to increase the fiber content of the food product therefore making it a rich prebiotic food that can promote gut health. Polydextrose is a polysaccharide composed of glucose molecules aligned together.
It works as a high-fiber bulking agent and can partially replace sugar because its sweetness is approximately 5% of the sweetness of sugar. As a result, only a small amount of polydextrose is needed to provide a sweet taste in food products. Polydextrose is a thermally stable compound in the temperature range of 90–110°C making it perfect for the baking industry.
Polydextrose is a low-carb high fiber compound that stands out for its low glycemic index. This index indicates how quickly a food item raises blood sugar levels. For diabetics, keeping blood sugar in check is a daily priority, making polydextrose powder an appealing alternative.
It is a hygroscopic compound, as it can retain moisture. Therefore prevents drying out of baked products and makes them shelf stable. Since polydextrose can partially replace fat, it provides good texture and mouthfeel in baked products.

How Baking Industry Manufacturers Can Benefit from Polydextrose
Polydextrose is incorporated in the baking industry because of several benefits. Some of these benefits are mentioned below.
High fiber compound, promoting gut health.
Suitable for low-calorie baked goods as it gives only 1 kcal/g.
It has a neutral taste, odorless.
The amount of polydextrose needed in a baked food product depends on the amount of flour in that product. As polydextrose is a water-soluble dietary fiber it greatly improves the overall quality of baked food products.
How Beverage Industry Manufacturers Can Benefit from Polydextrose

Nowadays, clean- labels are quite popular, especially because consumers are becoming more aware and health conscious. Manufacturers in the food and beverage industry use polydextrose and label them as reduced calorie, reduced fat products.

As polydextrose provides good mouthfeel and texture, it meets the consumer’s taste preference as well. Thus polydextrose can shoot up the fiber content in beverages without negatively affecting its mouthfeel and taste.
Different Applications of the polydextrose in Baking Industry

Polydextrose has various functional applications in the baking industry, attributed to its physicochemical properties.

Biscuits: Biscuits containing polydextrose are high in fiber and can promote gut health in consumers. Due to its high-temperature stability, it can work at high baking temperatures. The functional properties of polydextrose allow the formation of a desirable crust and texture of the biscuits.
Cake: In the case of the cake industry major role of polydextrose is to partially boost the fiber content of the product therefore making it more healthier product without decreasing the desirable taste and texture of the final food product.
Bread: The incorporation of polydextrose in bread dough improves the rheological and fermentation properties of the dough. Therefore reducing the hardness and porosity of the bread and making it desirable for the consumer. Along with increasing the fiber component of the bread.

Different Applications Of Polydextrose In Nutritional Supplements
Polydextrose is used in nutritional and health supplements to make them rich in fiber. As polydextrose is a prebiotic soluble fiber, it helps to produce good microbes in the gut therefore enhancing digestion.
Majorly polydextrose finds its application in products as follows.
Dietary Supplements,
Protein Bars,
Protein Powder
Different Applications Of Polydextrose Cereals And Spread
Polydextrose is widely used in products like muesli and breakfast cereals to enhance its fiber content. Polydextrose being a rich soluble fiber helps in healthy digestion. Some of the applications of polydextrose in cereal products include the following.
Breakfast cereal
Cereal bar
Muesli
Chocolate spread

Different Applications of the polydextrose in Beverages Industry

Polydextrose is a source of dietary fiber that is also called a prebiotic. Therefore polydextrose is widely used to produce high-fiber drinks. Polydextrose is a white-to-cream amorphous powder with high water solubility and a neutral taste. All these properties make polydextrose a good functional ingredient for beverages without negatively affecting its sensorial properties like taste and texture. Some of the most common applications of polydextrose in the beverage industry are mentioned below.

Flavored Fruit Drink: Polydextrose is a non-sweet and has a similar viscosity to that of sucrose. It is used as a good quality bulking agent to provide body and texture as a reduced-calorie food. Polydextrose
Flavored Milk: Since polydextrose can be used as a high-fiber compound without affecting the mouthfeel of dairy products, it is used in flavored milk and other dairy or fermented drinks like lassi.
Mocktails: Polydextrose can be used to increase the fiber content of mocktails without giving any aftertaste.

Conclusion

We hope this blog helped you to understand more about the versatility of Polydextrose powder for the Baking & Beverages industry and its benefits for food manufacturers.
Food manufacturers can effectively use polydextrose as a dietary fiber or prebiotic in their products. Polydextrose is majorly used to enhance the fiber content, act as a bulking agent, stabilizer, and prebiotic in commercial beverages, health supplements, dairy, confectionery, and the bakery industry. You can easily buy polydextrose in India from any good Polydextrose supplier such as FIBREDEX® Polydextrose or Sweetener India.