If the keyword that defined the food industry last year was "protein," this year "dietary fiber" is expected to take center stage. As weight-management drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro spread quickly, interest is rising in diets that help maintain fullness longer and aid digestion more gradually.
As global food corporations one after another cite dietary fiber as a next growth driver, Korea's food industry is also reshaping product portfolios and jumping into the so-called "fiber maxxing (maximizing dietary fiber intake)" race.
According to related industries on the 4th, the fiber maxxing trend is spreading quickly through social media and other channels. It goes beyond meeting the daily recommended intake and means calculating fiber intake at every meal to increase it as much as possible. It is not just about eating a bit more vegetables but a lifestyle that designs the entire diet around fiber.
On social media (SNS), more content is sharing meal plans that use affordable, common but fiber-rich ingredients like cabbage, lentils, chia seeds, and oats.
Dietary fiber is known as a nutrient that serves as a prebiotic feeding beneficial gut bacteria and helps improve the intestinal environment. As the trend that emphasizes dietary fiber rises, domestic food companies are moving quickly to respond.
hy introduced new products under the fermented milk brand "Mechnikov" that contain up to 8g of dietary fiber per serving. It built a lineup with unsweetened plain and fruit-flavored products and plans to add Greek yogurt products in the first half.
OTOKI released instant rice products that raised dietary fiber content by using brown rice and barley. Compared with existing products, it increased fiber per serving so consumers can secure intake in everyday meals without separate supplements.
Orion launched "Dr. You PRO protein shake," which adds dietary fiber to a protein shake. It contains 24g of protein and 5g of dietary fiber while lowering sugar to 2g. It aimed for functional synergy by combining protein's muscle-building effect with the satiety of dietary fiber.
◇ Global food CEOs eye dietary fiber
Global food corporations are also focusing on the potential of dietary fiber. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski named dietary fiber first among the key trends that will shape 2026 on social media. PepsiCo CEO Ramon Laguarta also said in last year's earnings call, "Dietary fiber is the next protein," and "It is the most lacking nutrient in the diet but the one with the greatest opportunity."
Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey said at the recent Davos forum that "consumers clearly want more protein," while adding that "demand for refreshment and protein is growing at the same time." He said, "This year, more dietary fiber could be included in beverages," and "Fiber dissolves well in water, making it easy to apply to drinks, and it can be incorporated into a variety of products without compromising taste." However, he noted that consumer perception is key. In Japan, "Diet Coke Fiber Plus," on sale since 2017, remains a niche product.
Behind the attention to dietary fiber is the "normalization of high-protein diets." As muscle-centered nutrition strategies become mainstream, analysts say consumer interest is shifting to gut health, satiety, and blood sugar management. Dietary fiber is cited as a rare nutrient that can address all three at once. The trend is also supported by younger consumers, fatigued by processed protein powders, returning to relatively less processed foods such as vegetables, legumes, and whole grains.
On top of that, as weight-management drugs like Wegovy spread, dietary fiber, which helps maintain fullness and regulate digestion speed, is gaining a stronger presence. A food industry official said, "With high-protein products entering a saturation phase, dietary fiber is an element that can be incorporated relatively naturally into existing product lines," adding, "For the time being, the race to enhance fiber will continue across categories such as fermented milk, ready-to-eat meals, and beverages."