Benicaros® soluble carrot prebiotic fiber for gut & immune health
Benicaros® low-dose precision prebiotic for gut and immune health
Consumers are realizing that good health often starts in the gut and that general well-being requires a well-functioning immune system. However, it’s increasingly challenging to stand out in the crowded market of gut & immune health products.
Create differentiated foods, beverages and dietary supplements with Benicaros® a plant-based precision prebiotic designed to support gut and immune health at a low daily effective dose of 300 mg.*
- Ultra-low daily effective dose
- Plant-based and upcycled
- Formulation-friendly
People are learning more about the gut microbiome and gut health, making 'biotics' very popular. But there's a catch: 'biotics' may work differently for each of us because of our unique gut microbiome ecosystems. Some prebiotic fibers can cause bloating and gut discomfort due to their large serving size. It can also be tricky to formulate prebiotic fibers that require a large serving size into certain products, along with other things like off-taste, strong odor or poor solubility.
When it comes to immune health, consumers are moving towards more proactive approaches. They feel that immune health products should have clinical evidence and provide multiple health benefits. The immune health market is crowded with immune-nourishing ingredients like vitamins and minerals, making it challenging to stand out.
Benicaros® soluble carrot fiber (scientifically known as carrot rhamnogalacturonan-I or cRG-I) solves each of the aforementioned challenges whilst offering two health benefits in one plant-based, upcycled and clean label ingredient.
The sweet spot in gut & immune health product innovation
Benicaros® is a precision prebiotic upcycled from carrot pomace, that empowers innovation across a wide range of product applications, delivering clinically researched gut and immune health benefits while meeting consumer expectations for multiple benefit, plant-based ingredients, and taste experience.
For formulators, it’s relatively easy to add to new and existing formulations thanks to its ultra-low effective dose and very formulation friendly profile.
The benefits of Benicaros®: Easy to formulate. Easy to differentiate.
Clinically researched dual mode of action:
Benicaros® supports a healthy gut microbiome and promotes immune health fitness. Its dual mode of action allows brands to address two important areas of consumer health with one ingredient.1,2,3,4
Precision prebiotic:
What makes this fiber a precision prebiotic, is its uniquely complex structure. This enables Benicaros® to selectively and consistently nourish beneficial microbes in the gut and support a more targeted prebiotic response.4,6
Ultra-low effective dose:
Benicaros® has a daily effective dose of 300mg*, providing greater formulation flexibility than prebiotic fibers that require gram level inclusion.2,3,4,5
Formulation friendly:
Thanks to its solubility, pH-stability, heat stability and ultra-low inclusion level, Benicaros® can be incorporated into a broad range of food, beverage and dietary supplement applications with little to no impact on taste, odor, or texture of the finished product.
Plant-based & upcycled:
Benicaros® is upcycled from carrot pomace and meets consumer expectations for plant-based, circular and clean label solutions.
How Benicaros® works in the body
Benicaros® is not digested as it passes through the upper gastrointestinal tract. Benicaros reaches the lower intestine intact and is then fermented by specific beneficial gut bacteria, producing health-promoting metabolites like short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The immune cells and the SCFAs can move from the gut to other parts of the body. These combined actions support both gut and immune health. Benicaros® accomplishes these twin goals whilst being a low FODMAP ingredient.
Clinically supported
Multiple peer-reviewed publications underpin the body of research on Benicaros®, spanning two human clinical trials, advanced microbiome research, molecular characterization and metabolomics. This breadth of evidence reinforces Benicaros' position as a trusted, science-backed ingredient, giving brands confidence in its ability to deliver meaningful gut and immune health benefits across a wide range of product applications.
What is Benicaros® soluble carrot fiber?
Benicaros® is a precision prebiotic fiber, scientifically known as carrot rhamnogalacturonan-I or cRG-I. Its uniquely complex structure enables Benicaros® to selectively and consistently nourish beneficial microbes in the gut and support a more targeted prebiotic response. For product developers, its 300mg daily effective dose can provide more formulation flexibility than prebiotic fibers that require gram-level inclusion.
An ultra-low effective daily dose with broad formulation potential
Benicaros® can be incorporated into a broad range of foods, beverages and dietary supplements. Its solubility, heat stability, pH stability and low effective daily dose help formulators add prebiotic health benefits with minimal impact on the finished product’s taste, texture or odor.*
Bring your gut and immune health concept to life
Connect with Ingredion to discuss your product format, target claims, processing conditions and regional requirements. Our technical and formulation teams can help you evaluate how Benicaros® fits your next food, beverage or dietary supplement concept.
Move your formulation forward
Discuss your innovation ideas with our experts today and discover how Benicaros® soluble carrot fiber can help bring them to life.
Benicaros® FAQs
What is Benicaros®?
Benicaros® is a plant-based, soluble carrot fiber and precision prebiotic. Also known as carrot rhamnogalacturonan-I or cRG-I, it supports gut microbiome health and is ideal for gut and immune health product innovation.*
What makes Benicaros® a precision prebiotic?
Its complex fiber structure is fermented by specific groups of beneficial gut bacteria, supporting a targeted and consistent prebiotic response.*
What is the daily effective dose of Benicaros®?
The daily effective dose is 300 mg, subject to formulation, market and approved use. This ultra-low inclusion level can provide flexibility in comparison to prebiotic fibers that require gram-level inclusion.*
Which products can Benicaros® be included in?
Benicaros® can be considered for a broad range of food, beverage and dietary supplement applications, subject to regional approvals, use levels and formulation requirements.*
How does Benicaros® support gut and immune health?
Benicaros® reaches the lower intestine, where beneficial bacteria ferment it and produce metabolites. It also interacts with immune-sampling processes in the gut. Together, these pathways support gut and immune health.*
Sources
1. FMCG Gurus. Gut Insights: Unveiling the Connection Between the Microbiome and Holistic Health. Trend Report, 2024.
2. Lutter, R. et al. The Dietary Intake of Carrot-Derived Rhamnogalacturonan-I Accelerates and Augments the Innate Immune and Anti-Viral Interferon Response to Rhinovirus Infection and Reduces Duration and Severity of Symptoms in Humans in a Randomized Trial. Nutrients 2021, 13, 4395. doi:10.3390/nu13124395.
3. McKay, S. et al. Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Carrot-Derived Rhamnogalacturonan-I (cRG-I) on Accelerated Protective Immune Responses and Quality of Life in Healthy Volunteers Challenged with Rhinovirus in a Randomized Trial. Nutrients 2022, 14, 4258. doi:10.3390/nu14204258.
4. Jian, C. et al. The Impact of Daily Supplementation with Rhamnogalacturonan-I on the Gut Microbiota in Healthy Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Biomed. Pharmacother. 2024, 174, 116561. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116561.
5. GRN No. 972: Pectin hydrolysate from carrot pomace.
6. Van Den Abbeele. et al. Carrot RG-I Reduces Interindividual Differences between 24 Adults through Consistent Effects on Gut Microbiota Composition and Function Ex Vivo. Nutrients 2023, 15, 2090. doi.10.3390/nu15092090.
*All product descriptors, efficacy language, claims, use levels and regional availability are subject to GSRA/legal review and applicable market requirements.