High Fibre Plus: The need-to-know with our Head of Nutrition, Science & Formulation, Isabelle

It’s overlooked, undervalued, but it underpins everything. Fibre isn’t just fundamental to digestive health but whole-body wellbeing. We speak to Head of Nutrition, Science & Formulation, Isabelle Nunn, about our latest development in gut health and why this new 7–in-1 high-fibre blend is a breakthrough for whole-body vitality.

1. First things first, everyone is talking about fibre-maxxing. But how much fibre do you really need a day?

“30g, but like any food trend, it’s important to moderate, especially if your current intake is very low. Otherwise, you can put your gut under duress, causing unwanted symptoms like bloating and bowel upsets. It’s best to build slowly. And remember: hydration, hydration, hydration. Water and even daily movement cannot be underestimated for smooth motility.”

2. What makes High Fibre Plus such a unique support?

“We’ve selected ingredients that not only gently nurture gut health, but also everyday energy, for the whole family. The formula combines seven diverse and world-leading plant fibres, including UK-first NatureKnit® and Sunfiber® - both of which are certified low FODMAP - organic ginger and seaweed-derived Calcium.”

3. NatureKnit®, tell us more…

“It’s an incredibly innovative whole-food complex made from five diverse upcycled fruit and vegetable fibres. In other words, “wonky” fruit and vegetables, not deemed attractive enough to sell, but are bursting with plant polyphenols, phytonutrients crucial for short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. These SCFAs are vital not just for gut health, but robust immunity, cardiovascular health and even long-term metabolic wellbeing.”

 

“In fact, tests show that NatureKnit® carries over 90 unique polyphenols.”

4. You also mentioned an ingredient called Sunfiber®

“Sunfiber® was the first ever fibre to be certified low FODMAP and is a PHGG, AKA partially hydrolysed guar gum. It’s sustainably harvested from guar bean seeds in arid Rajasthan, India. A soluble fermentable fibre, it’s a type of polysaccharide made up of long chains of naturally occurring sugar molecules, which we can’t simply digest. Hydrolysis breaks these chains into shorter ones, all while retaining the prebiotic properties, making it digestion-friendly.”

5. Is it the same as the thickening agent, guar gum?

“No. While it derives from the same guar plant, its consistency is entirely different and carries a low viscosity. It’s also non-GMO project verified, and third-party tested for purity, heavy metals,  contaminants and heavy metals for peace of mind.”

6. When you say certified low FODMAP, what does this mean?

“FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols - short-chain carbohydrates that can often be difficult to digest. Unlike psyllium or inulin, scientific evidence shows that both Sunfiber® and NatureKnit® ferment slowly, supporting digestive ease. Making this blend suitable for anyone with digestive sensitivities.”

7. You highlighted that fibre is key in pregnancy. Is this formula suitable?

 

“High Fibre Plus has been blended to be both pregnancy and breastfeeding-friendly. Constipation and bloating are so common in this stage as the gut microbiome changes with hormonal fluctuations. These gentle fibres can be supportive for nourishing both mum’s and baby’s microbial ecosystems.”

 

8. Put simply, what’s the difference between the blend’s soluble and insoluble fibres?

“Each plays a different role in digestive and whole-body health, which is why we’ve woven in both. Their capabilities are extensive, but in simple terms, soluble fibre draws water into the bowel. The soluble fibre you’ll find in this blend is fermentable fibre, which feeds your gut microbiome’s beneficial bacteria. While the insoluble adds bulk to stools, promoting regularity.”

9 Why is the seaweed-derived Calcium so important?

“Calcium provides excellent digestive enzyme and energy support. The kind we’ve included has a unique honeycomb-like structure, which makes it one of the most bioavailable kinds of Calcium available worldwide.”

 

10. How so?

 

“Four gold standard published studies demonstrate the capabilities of this type of Calcium. It’s been seen to impact microbial composition linked with gut resilience and essential for nutrient absorption.”

11. What does the science say about hero ingredient NatureKnit®?

“Unlike commonly used isolated fibres like psyllium or inulin, NatureKnit® comes complete with all of its essential vitamins and minerals. Not only does that mean it’s easier to digest, but a 48-hour study shows it can impact the microbiome in just six hours. It’s been seen to improve the abundance of healthy gut bacteria by 70%, with 42% greater impact than inulin and 21% more than psyllium.”

12. And how about Sunfiber®?

“Sunfiber®’s gut microbiome support has been extensively studied, and its effects have been demonstrated in just 14 days.” 

 

“Studies show it has the potential to reduce bloating by up to 35% and abdominal pain by 30%. It’s even been demonstrated to impact mental wellbeing, sleep and motivation from just four weeks, as it feeds the beneficial bacteria that support both the gut-brain and gut-sleep connections.”

13. So, who is this blend designed for?

“Everyone from the age of four upwards. With each life-stage transition, you’ll find your microbiome shifts in turn, and fibre plays a pivotal role. Whether it’s fuelling rapid development in adolescence, gentle gut support and energy levels in matrescence, or when hormonal transitions begin to affect the gut’s delicate microflora, and digestion falters in perimenopause.”

 

14. Ultimately, fibre and gut health have a far-reaching impact

“Exactly, our gut is connected to the rest of the body through a variety of sophisticated networks, from the gut-brain axis to the gut-skin axis and many more. Fibre plays so many crucial roles from mood to metabolic health, hormonal balance, circadian rhythm and even longevity. We explore them in detail in our gut health series over on YouTube here.

 

Struggling with your fibre intake? Need gut health guidance? Digestible advice is just a call away. Enjoy a free 15-minute nutritional one-to-one on us. No cost, no catch, just honest, qualified guidance.