Fiber-based sugar alternatives are creating new possibilities for beverage manufacturers as MartinBauer and Nexture introduce Sweetec, a botanical formulation designed to reduce sugar without sacrificing sweetness or texture. The system combines plant-derived ingredients to recreate the thickness and satisfying mouthfeel typically provided by sugar, allowing brands to develop lighter beverage options.
Sweetec integrates HIFOOD's Meltec vegetable fibers, sourced from legumes and cereals, with MartinBauer's Sweetcode botanical sweetening technology. Together, these components can replace up to 50% of sugar while maintaining flavor balance. The formulation supports applications ranging from spirits and aperitifs to cider, seltzers, and alcohol-free beverages.
For manufacturers, Sweetec offers opportunities to reformulate existing drinks and develop reduced-sugar products that meet changing consumer preferences. Its versatility could also help beverage companies respond to sugar taxation and nutritional labeling requirements while maintaining familiar drinking experiences.
Image Credit: MARTINBAUER AND NEXTURE
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Fiber-based Sweetening
- Botanical fibers that preserve sweetness and mouthfeel are opening space for reduced-sugar beverages that feel closer to full-sugar formulations.
- Texture-preserving Reformulation
- Ingredient systems that replace sugar’s body as well as its taste create potential for healthier products without the sensory trade-offs consumers often reject.
- Sugar-tax Adaptation
- Regulatory pressure around sugar content is accelerating demand for flexible formulation platforms that help brands maintain appeal while improving nutrition profiles.
Where This Applies
- Beverage Manufacturing
- Reduced-sugar systems with broad application across alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks give producers new ways to refresh legacy portfolios.
- Functional Ingredients
- Plant-derived sweetening and fiber technologies are expanding the role of ingredient suppliers in shaping indulgent yet better-for-you product experiences.
- Health-focused Consumer Goods
- Growing preference for lighter labels and lower sugar intake supports product development models centered on familiar taste with improved nutritional positioning.
