Problem addressed:
For decades, 100% fruit juices have been accepted as a healthy option because of their direct association to natural fruit. However, recent studies show that all 100% juices take up large amounts of fruit sugars, giving rise to glycemic loads that are comparable and sometimes even surpass sugar added beverages. Although natural, these sugars have been proven to induce blood sugar spikes in the same fashion as added sugars . This happens because the human body has no capability to distinguish chemically nor biologically between different sugar. Thus, the human organism reacts in the same way to any sugar molecule regardless of its source, generating the same insulin spikes, which are the main factor in obesity and related
metabolic diseases, such as diabetes. Better Juice developed a unique, patent-protected technology for up to 100% reduction of natural sugars in fruit matrixes, without affecting flavor nor smell, and reaching even improved properties of the final product.
The technology operates through a bio-converter reactor which is easily integrated in the current production lines in fruit or vegetable manufacturing plants. The process is able to convert sugars into non-digestible healthy compounds, such as high-stability dietary fibers – FOS (short chain fructo-oligosaccharides) – and other non- digestible molecules. The bio-conversion of sugars is enabled by the enzymatic activity of specifically selected food grade non-GMO microorganisms that perform the conversion of sugars naturally, with no chemicals.
Why is it important for society:
Latest data demonstrates that obesity and diabetes are exponentially increasing worldwide, causing a global economic burden of €1.3 trillion, which corresponds to 1.8% of global GDP. Due to steady growth of diabetes incidence, this figure is forecasted to reach € 2.2 trillion in 2030, where diabetes type 2 is predicted to become the 7th cause of mortality .
In this scenario, beverage producers are urged to solve the issue of high sugar content.
Overall objectives:
- Perform tests on samples involving 5 juice producers among orange, pineapple and apple juice segment, in order to validate the performances of the process.
- Business feasibility assessment
