Fibre Is the Next Protein in Gut Health Innovation
Roquette's webinar declares fibre the "next protein" in gut health innovation, with major implications for UK brands and consumers.
Fibre is poised to become the defining ingredient of the next wave of gut health products, according to ingredient supplier Roquette. The company's recent webinar positioned dietary fibre as the "cornerstone" of future gut health innovation — a shift that mirrors how protein reshaped the food and supplement industry over the past decade. Roquette's global product marketing lead Iva François co-presented the session, which examined how brands can capitalise on the gut health megatrend.
Why This Matters for Gut Health in the UK
Interest in gut health UK-wide has grown substantially in recent years, driven by expanding microbiome UK research and rising consumer awareness of the gut-brain connection. The British Gut Project, in collaboration with King's College London, has helped place the UK at the forefront of microbiome science, generating public appetite for products that genuinely support digestive wellbeing. Against this backdrop, the food industry's pivot towards fibre-forward formulation reflects a broader scientific consensus: dietary fibre is foundational to a healthy, diverse gut microbiome.
Fibre as the Cornerstone of Product Development
Per Nutrition Insight's reporting of the Roquette webinar, François argued that fibre is undergoing the same cultural and commercial elevation that protein experienced — moving from a background nutrient to a front-of-pack selling point. The analogy signals that fibre could become a primary purchase driver for health-conscious consumers, much as protein content currently guides buying decisions across categories from yoghurt to snack bars. The session highlighted opportunities for brands to lead rather than follow this shift in consumer expectation.
What This Means for UK Consumers and Brands
For UK consumers, the trend reinforces guidance already embedded in the NHS Eatwell Guide, which recommends adults consume 30g of fibre per day — a target most people in the UK fall significantly short of. For food and supplement brands operating in the UK market, Roquette's framing suggests that improve gut health naturally messaging, centred on fibre intake, is set to become a key commercial battleground. Brands that invest early in fibre-forward innovation may secure a meaningful first-mover advantage.
Roquette's positioning reflects a wider industry recognition that gut health is no longer a niche wellness concern but a mainstream consumer priority. As UK microbiome research continues to illuminate the links between fibre, microbiome diversity, and the gut-brain connection, the commercial and public health case for making fibre "the next protein" is only likely to strengthen.
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