Newtopia Now: Gut Health In Focus

Yes, protein is all the rage these days, but digestive wellness is still driving innovation, too.

Brands exhibiting at Newtopia Now, held Aug. 21 to 22 in Denver, are embracing gut health across various product claims from “low-FODMAP” to “high-fiber” to “heartburn-friendly,” and in a broad range of product applications. “Gut-healthy” chili crisp, anyone?

Among the plentiful fermented food and beverages on display – which spanned canned water kefir, cultured cashews and handcrafted sauerkraut – newcomer Brine Time featured its collection of pickled jicama sticks.

The family-owned, San Diego-based startup opted to ferment the lesser-known root vegetable over the more traditional cucumber due to its “consistent crunch,” co-founder Kelly Sandoval Brown told Nosh. The lineup includes culturally-inspired flavors such as Jicama Jamaica and Yummy Tom’s Thai that are packaged in resealable pouches with prominent probiotic callouts.

Elsewhere on the show floor, one of several high-protein ice cream slingers boasted the bonus benefit of prebiotic fiber. Aider – a Phoenix-based female-coded frozen treat brand promising up to 44 grams of protein per pint – incorporates fiber extracted from wheat straws.

Another frozen dessert spotted at Newtopia Now was Chara, a line of lactose-free frozen Greek yogurt sweetened with agave and maple and containing “living probiotics.” The products are Live & Active Cultures certified by the International Dairy Foods Association.

Liquid+ showcased its single item, a pouched “salad” that is positioned as an alternative to popular green powders. The product contains a blend of apple, cucumber, kale, konjac, chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass and broccoli and delivers 8 grams of prebiotic fiber per serving, according to the company.

Offering a digestion-friendly option in the sauce segment, Carinara is a tomato-free take on marinara, crafted with carrots. Developed by a husband-and-wife team, the products are low-acid and nightshade-free for those with stomach sensitivities.

Another exhibitor, Redbloom Health, markets a line of chili crisps formulated with clinical protocols to treat irritable bowel syndrome. The company uses organic chilis that are microencapsulated in avocado oil as a barrier to the burn.