Exploring the formulation properties of lipid powders in food
Functional lipids in powder formulations are specially designed to enhance the nutrition and functionality of dietary supplements, functional foods and sports nutrition products. Read on to explore the diverse potential benefits of lipid powders in a wide range of applications.
What are lipid powders used for?
Lipids are essential fats that play a crucial role in energy storage, cell function, and nutrient absorption. Lipid powders are created by converting these fats into a fine powder, which enhances their stability, digestibility, and ease of use in various applications. These powders can be used in dietary supplements, sports nutrition and functional foods to help support heart health and enhanced cognitive function.
What are the health benefits of lipids?
Lipids are essential for overall health, providing energy, and supporting cell function1. By aiding in the formation of cell membranes, they allow cells to function more efficiently, contributing to overall nutrient absorption. High-oleic sunflower oil can help to reduce 'bad' cholesterol and triglyceride levels, thereby lowering overall cholesterol. MCT oil can also facilitate the production of ketone which support long-lasting energy as well as memory and cognitive function. A balanced intake of healthy lipids in your diet is crucial for maintaining optimal overall health.
What are the formulation advantages of lipid powders?
The formulation properties of lipids powders such as NEIVA® MCT and NEIVA® High Oleic Sunflower Oil Powder provide several advantages when compared with liquid lipid formats. These advantages include:
Enhance texture
Lipid powders can enhance product texture by helping to create a smooth, creamy, and rich mouthfeel without the need for excess oil or liquid. They help maintain the desired consistency of food and drink products, allowing manufacturers to control texture more precisely. By incorporating lipid powders into your products, you can achieve a luxurious and silky texture whilst keeping the formulation stable, enhancing the textural appeal without compromising on product quality or increasing the fat content.
Facilitating dispersion
As well as improving texture, lipid powders come in a free-flowing, easy-to-use form that offers greater dispersion compared to liquid oils. They are ideal for applications where liquid oils aren’t suitable, such as in dry mixes or products with stability concerns. Lipid powders can be seamlessly integrated into both hot and cold liquids. They blend smoothly to deliver the desired texture and performance without adding excess moisture or compromising shelf life.
Control dosage
As well as being easier to incorporate into your formulations, the dry, free-flowing nature and consistent particle size of lipid powders make them easier to measure precisely. This helps to control dosage, allowing manufacturers to create controlled-release products or tailored doses, enhancing the effectiveness and reliability of supplements or functional foods without the challenges of liquid oils.
What are the applications of lipid powders in food?
Lipid powders can be utilised in multiple food and drink applications, providing various functional, flavour and texture benefits. In dairy alternatives, lipid powders can be used to improve the mouthfeel and guarantee the stability of a formulation, helping to create a creamy smooth texture and managing the consistency. These application features are particularly valuable for plant-based and vegan recipes, as lipid powders like NEIVA® MCT Plant-Based Powder can provide structure and consistency. Lipid powders even act as emulsifiers and can be used to improve the stability of products like dressings, sauces and spreads. Outside of their practical applications, lipid powders can be integrated into recipes to provide added health benefits. Medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) powders, for example, are rapidly digested and absorbed into the small intestine which means they are quickly converted into usable energy. This energy can support mental clarity and physical activity. As a result, lipid powders improve the efficiency of active ingredients2, ensuring they reach their target sites more effectively, boosting their health implications.
Why choose Ohly for lipid powders?
At Ohly, we stand out for our expertise and experience in producing high quality powdered ingredients and our lipid powders are no exception. We collaborate closely with manufacturers to develop tailored solutions that meet specific needs. Committed to expanding our product range, we want to continue to develop innovative taste and nutrition improvement solutions for different applications. Our ongoing investment in intensive research and development guarantees that we remain at the forefront of innovation, delivering cutting-edge lipid powder solutions that enhance texture, nutrition and functionality.
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Learn more about Ohly lipid powders or get in touch today to see how they could work in your latest innovation
