Fiber Containing Compositions and Methods of Making and Using Same

Abstract

A composition comprising at least about 25% of a fiber component, by weight of the composition, provides a safe and effective amount of fiber component to a user. A method of producing such a composition is provided. Additionally a method of providing a safe and effective amount of fiber component to a user is provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 a. at least 25% fiber component, by weight of the composition, wherein the fiber component is selected from the group consisting of galactooligosaccharides, fructooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharides, and combinations thereof;   b. at least 0.001% humectant component, by weight of the composition;   c. from 5% to 50% carbohydrate component, by weight of the composition, wherein the carbohydrate component is selected from the group consisting of corn syrup, sucrose, liquid sucrose, polydextrose, trehalose, fructose, lactose, maltose, honey, glucose, galactose, and mixtures thereof.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the fiber component comprises galacto-oligosaccharides. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the fiber component comprises fructooligosaccharides. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises at least 40% fiber component, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises from 25% to 60% fiber component, by weight of the composition 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises from 0.001% to 5% of a humectant component, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the humectant component is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, invert sugar, polyhydric alcohols, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyglycerol, gelatin, xanthan gums, carageenans, alginates, cyclomethicone, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate, tracetin, triethanolamine, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the humectants component comprises gelatin. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises from 5% to 40% carbohydrate component, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9  wherein the carbohydrate component comprises glucose. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10  wherein the carbohydrate component further comprises lactose. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1  further comprising a fat component selected from the group consisting of plant oils, hydrogenated plant oils, partially hydrogenated plant oils, animal fats, and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 8  wherein the composition comprises less than 20% fat component, by weight of the composition. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition is a soft chew. 
     
     
         15 . A composition comprising:
 a. from 40% to 60% galacto-oligosaccharides, by weight of the composition;   b. from 0.001% to 5% humectant component, by weight of the composition, wherein the humectant component is selected from the group consisting of glycerin, sorbitol, invert sugar, polyhydric alcohols, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyglycerol, gelatin, xanthan gums, carageenans, alginates, cyclomethicone, sodium hyaluronate, sodium lactate, tracetin, triethanolamine, and mixtures thereof;   c. from 5% to 40% carbohydrate component, by weight of the composition, wherein the carbohydrate component is selected from the group consisting of corn syrup, sucrose, liquid sucrose, polydextrose, trehalose, fructose, lactose, maltose, honey, glucose, galactose, and mixtures thereof;   wherein the composition is a soft chew.   
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the humectants component is gelatin. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein the carbohydrate component comprises glucose. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 17  wherein the carbohydrate component further comprises lactose. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 17  wherein the carbohydrate component further comprises galactose. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 15  wherein further comprising a fat component selected from the group consisting of plant oil, partially hydrogenated plant oil, and combinations thereof.