KANSAS CITY– Familiar components are most likely to be chosen by formulators establishing items created to interest users of GLP-1 agonist medications.
These customers tend to look for nutrient density and satiety, which components based upon protein and fiber offer. Particular components likewise support the body’s natural production of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) hormonal agents, which assist control blood sugar level and cravings.
The variety of GLP-1 users might increase for many years. KKF, a source for health policy research study, ballot and news, in Might 2024 launched a survey that discovered 12% of grownups stated they had actually taken a GLP-1 agonist, with 6% stating they presently take the drug. Public awareness of GLP-1 drugs increased, with 32% stating they had actually heard “a lot” about the drugs, up from 19% in July 2023.
Morgan Stanley in 2023 projection weight management medications to reach $77 billion by 2030, and a GlobalData report released this year stated GLP-1 agonists, which at first concentrated on diabetes and weight problems, are becoming possible treatments for a more comprehensive series of persistent conditions.
The GLP-1 pattern is “bound to broaden,” stated Costanza Alciati, pharma expert at GlobalData. “Their restorative possible simply keeps progressing as research studies broaden the understanding we have on this drug class. For example, they fight insulin resistance, a system that seems at the core of various conditions, from type 2 diabetes and weight problems to neuroinflammation adding to Alzheimer’s illness.”
Acosta Group, Jacksonville, Fla., in February carried out a study of 4,489 United States grownups. The study discovered 332 stated they were taking a GLP-1 medication, however 151 stated they no longer were on the medication. The outcomes revealed that 74% of the GLP-1 users looked for high-protein or protein-fortified items, and 73% looked for items that support gut health.
” Developing this fiber and protein mix that these individuals require is a method to take part in this dietary shift that’s taking place,” stated Colleen Zammer, vice president of varietal services development and business development at Bay State Milling Co., Quincy, Mass. “If individuals today are preventing grain-based foods due to the fact that they do not feel they have the nutrients they require, it’s a truly excellent concept to use these foods that have those nutrients.”
The Acosta study likewise discovered that 55% of the GLP-1 users were consuming smaller sized parts in general, and 49% stated they were consuming less treats.
” Undoubtedly as a market, individuals consuming less food is a bit frightening,” Zammer stated.
So how might the grain-based foods market serve the GLP-1 customer?
” From our viewpoint, simply ensuring that we can offer nutrient density that tastes excellent is the winning method,” she stated.
Fiber relieves digestion concerns
Particular entire grain cereals and pulses are excellent sources of fiber and understood to preserve digestion health, stated Laurie Scanlin, PhD, primary researcher at Ardent Mills, Denver.
” Although the science of specific foods revealed to naturally launch the GLP-1 hormonal agent remains in its infancy, customers are looking for nutrient-dense, high-fiber and high-protein foods to support their weight management objectives and/or fight negative effects of GLP-1 drugs, such as digestion abnormality,” she stated.
Chicago-based ADM in September 2024 carried out a study of United States grownups taking anti-obesity medications (AOMs) like GLP-1 receptor agonists.
Increasing the quantity of fiber in bread might interest GLP-1 agonist users.
| Picture: © NANDER– STOCK.ADOBE.COM” Almost half of the participants report purposefully increasing their intake of fiber (both soluble and insoluble fibers) considering that beginning GLP-1 treatment,” stated Brad Schwan, vice president of marketing for ADM. “Plus, 39% state they’re purposefully increasing their probiotics/prebiotics consumption.
” Moreover, over half of AOM users are taking probiotic/prebiotic supplements to support their health while on GLP-1s. This shows a substantial interest in fibers and, more particularly, prebiotic dietary fibers, within this customer group. This interest might remain in part due to the requirement to support gut and digestion health while taking AOMs. In reality, 40% of these customers report they frequently experience GI (intestinal) pain.”
ADM/Matsutani LLC’s Fibersol prebiotic soluble dietary fiber has actually been displayed in research studies to offer assistance for the gut, Schwan stated, and medical research study showed that taking in 10 grams of Fibersol with a meal might increase the appetite-regulating hormonal agent GLP-1 as part of a regular physiological reaction in healthy grownups.
ADM/Matsutani LLC is a joint endeavor in between ADM and Japan-based Matsutani Chemical Market Co., Ltd. Prospective applications in baked foods for Fibersol consist of bread, muffins, cookies, bars and treats.
Prebiotic chicory root fibers, such as inulin and oligofructose, naturally support the body’s GLP-1 hormonal agent release, stated Denisse Colindres, senior supervisor of nutrition interaction for Beneo, Parsippany, NJ.
” These fibers (inulin and oligofructose) withstand food digestion in the upper intestinal system and reach the colon undamaged, where they are fermented by helpful gut germs,” she stated. “The fermentation produces short-chain fats (SCFAs), which promote the release of GLP-1. GLP-1 contributes in controling cravings, blood sugar level and insulin secretion.”
Chicory root fiber might be included into a range of baked foods, consisting of bread, muffins, cakes and cookies, she stated. Claims such as “excellent source” and “exceptional source” of fiber might be attained in items.
” GLP-1 users likewise try to find foods that give entire grains, following the desire to take in products that are nutrient-dense,” Colindres stated. “Beneo’s Orafti ß-Fit barley flour is entire grain and is an industry-leading flour source of beta-glucan, crucial for heart health and supporting such FDA claims. It is likewise high in overall fiber at 40%.”
Orafti ß-Fit barley flour might be utilized in entire grain, high-fiber bread, pastas, cereal and other baked foods.
” While particular studies on fiber choices amongst GLP-1 agonist users are restricted, it is reputable that people on GLP-1 agonists frequently experience digestion pain such as irregularity or diarrhea,” Colindres stated. “Fiber ends up being a vital nutrient of issue. Prebiotic chicory root fibers use a natural service, assisting assistance gut consistency, minimizing pain and nourishing helpful gut germs throughout weight-loss journeys.”
Scanlin stated beta-glucan soluble fiber from barley and oats has actually been revealed to support weight management when part of a diet plan low in hydrogenated fat and cholesterol, in addition to increased satiety. She included that Ardent Mills’ Sustagrain whole grain barley might support the formula of GLP-1-friendly foods.
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) might be utilized in a range of baked foods, using advantages such as increased fiber material, enhanced texture and minimized sugar levels, stated Jacob Hanzon, R&D department supervisor for Galam, an international components maker with production websites in Israel, Germany and Spain and a warehouse in Ohio. Prospective applications consist of cookies, biscuits, cakes, pastries, sandwich shop, sweet dough bread, gluten-free baked foods, and low-calorie and sugar-free baked foods.
” Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotic fibers that have a substantial influence on the secretion and function of the natural hormonal agent GLP-1, which plays a vital function in glucose guideline, cravings control and metabolic health,” Hanzon stated.
FOS supplements has actually been revealed to increase both fasting and postprandial GLP-1 concentrations in the blood stream.
” FOS are not absorbed in the upper intestinal system,” Hanzon stated. “Rather, they reach the colon, where they are fermented by helpful gut germs. This fermentation produces short-chain fats (SCFAs) such as butyrate, propionate and acetate, which can promote GLP-1 secretion by means of activation of totally free fat receptors (FFAR2 and FFAR3) on L-cells.”
Bay State Milling provides HealthSense wheat flour that is 32% dietary fiber, or more than 10 times the quantity of fiber discovered in conventional enriched white flour, Zammer stated.
” It’s white flour,” she stated. “So it does not look any various, taste any various, none of the off-notes that you obtain from entire wheat since that resistant starch fiber remains in the endosperm.”
Resistant starch is so called due to the fact that it withstands food digestion. It is fermented by the gut microbiome, producing short-chain fats.
” Those are natural precursors to natural GLP-1 hormonal agents,” Zammer stated. “So this kind of fiber will promote the natural production of GLP-1 hormonal agents.”
Fibers play an essential function in food digestion and support the GLP-1 procedure, stated Ashley Beech, item advancement supervisor of bakeshop applications, Corbion.
” Fibers from resistant starches and beta-glucan, discovered in barley, oats and rye, naturally support the body’s GLP-1 procedure and add to an enduring sensation of fullness,” she stated. “In bakeshop and dairy items, these fibers can support healthy food digestion and blood sugar level, in addition to boost satiety. Research studies suggest that resistant starch and beta-glucan promote the intestinal tracts to launch GLP-1 and peptide YY a couple of hours after a meal, which assists to lower cravings in between meals.”
Users look for plant-based protein
In the ADM study, 41% of GLP-1 users stated that they were purposefully increasing their consumption of plant-based proteins.
” Keeping lean muscle mass is likewise a vital requirement for GLP-1 users, with research studies approximating that 20% to 40% of weight-loss might originate from muscle tissue,” Schwan stated. “High-protein choices with different protein sources can assist support muscle mass upkeep.”
Protein blends, consisting of a mix of animal-based and plant-based proteins, in addition to components like seeds and grains, aid enhance the dietary worth of baked foods and support favored tastes and textures by tapping the very best qualities from each protein source, he stated.
” Take, for instance, our clean-tasting, extremely practical soy, pea and wheat proteins, together with our beans, pulses, ancient grains and seeds,” Schwan stated. “Each active ingredient provides on extremely in-demand protein material while likewise adding to a preferable sensory experience.”
Ardent Mills provides plant-based proteins, consisting of protein sourced from chickpeas, for grain-based foods that are GLP-1 friendly, stated Caroline Smith, GRq research study researcher for Ardent Mills.
” They likewise satisfy increasing need for tidy label, practical items, especially amongst those focusing on digestion and metabolic health,” she stated. “Great sources of plant-based protein, like chickpeas, can be utilized in muffins, bars, cookies, brownies and breads. Flours made from seeds or beans, such as chickpea flour, incorporate flawlessly into these formats while improving dietary material.”
Colindres stated Beneo provides fava bean protein.

” Beneo’s fava bean protein can function as a great option to animal protein,” she stated. “It is a tidy, plant-based active ingredient with strong sustainability functions. When integrated with Beneo’s rice protein, it forms as a total important amino acid profile, making it an outstanding source for plant-based items.”
Fava bean protein and rice might be utilized in applications such as nutrition bars, pastries, treats, bread, muffins, shortbread, crackers and pizza crust. Beneo has actually created a waffle that is 9% fava bean and 2% rice protein, making it possible to attain 12 grams of protein per serving.
Various kinds of protein offer various advantages, stated Corbion’s Beech.
Gluten proteins naturally present in wheat flour play a vital function in offering structure, shape and flexibility to baked foods, she stated. In cakes, eggs offer structure, leavening and inflammation, while their capability to be whipped includes volume and aeration. Egg yolks likewise contribute emulsification and an abundant color to baked foods. Milk proteins, such as casein and whey, add to taste, browning and inflammation in baked foods. Plant-based proteins, consisting of those stemmed from soy, pea, rice or chickpeas, include dietary worth while satisfying need for allergen-friendly or vegan solutions.
” We have actually discovered that a range of protein sources can work well for GLP-1 users, and our information likewise offers us a window into their choices,” Beech stated. “In our exclusive research study, we checked out understandings of 4 particular protein components: mung bean, pea protein, chickpea protein and fava bean. Throughout the board, we saw strong approval– about 7 in 10 GLP-1 users stated they were comfy acquiring items made with these components.
Source: Food Business.