Dive Brief:
- Scientists at Brandeis University have found that dried carrot pomace — the pulp left after juicing the vegetable — could be used as a fiber in food production.
- After blending the powder into food for animal studies, scientists found that it provided the benefits of fiber without common problems, like indigestion or bloating.
- The university has recently received funding to study the ingredient's effects on humans.
Dive Insight:
Even though human tests of the carrot fiber have not started, the researchers told WVCB that they're already receiving calls from food manufacturers, including cereal companies. An innovation like this one could have a ripple effect on several sectors of food manufacturing.
As sales of cereal brands continue to falter, an ingredient like dried carrot pomace could help reinvigorate them. In addition to being easily digested, researchers found that dried carrot pomace may also have the medical benefit of preventing Type 2 diabetes.
Carrot pomace, which researchers said takes minimal processing but has no added chemicals, also is a simple ingredient. Consumers today are looking for products with simpler and better-for-you ingredients, and this could easily help advance that trend.
Additionally, carrot pomace is made from a byproduct of carrot juicing that had often been considered agricultural waste. By transforming it into a grain, manufacturers could cut back on byproducts that end up in landfills, as well as create a new source of revenue. With consumers looking to purchase products that are sustainable, this could improve the bottom line both for carrot producers and manufacturers that rely on their juice.