High Obesity, Diabetes in Mexico Create Demand for Healthier Products Elizabeth Crawford - Food Navigator
go to original October 16, 2017

Mexico’s Coca-Cola Craze: Mexico’s population is the highest per capita consumer of soft drinks in the world. It’s also number one in child obesity. (Al Jazeera English)

High rates of obesity and diabetes in Mexico has consumers looking for healthier options that do not compromise on a taste – a difficult combination that is nonetheless within reach for manufacturers thanks to innovative ingredients showcased at the Food Technology Summit & Expo in Mexico.

Mexico has the second highest rates of diabetes and obesity in the world, with an estimated 11.5 million registered diabetics and 15.8% showing a prevalence for diabetes, according to data from the International Diabetes Federation cited by ingredient supplier BENEO. Likewise, approximately a third of the country’s adults are obese and more than 40% do not reach the minimum recommendation for 30 minutes of exercise a day, according to ingredient supplier Naturex.

While these are grim statistics, both companies along with Archer Daniels Midland Company and Tate & Lyle demonstrated at FTS & Expo solutions that could help improve the health profile of foods and beverages.

At the expo, BENEO lifted up its chicory root fibers and functional carbohydrates as ingredients that can combat both diseases by supporting weight management and lowering blood glucose rise and insulin release better than some competing sugar replacement ingredients.

It explains in a release that while oligo- or polysaccharides, such as matlodextrin, can reduce sugar, they can still negatively impact consumers’ metabolism so that “over time, the human blood glucose regulation system can become imbalanced, leading to pre-diabetes and diabetes, accompanied by overweight conditions.”

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