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Food tech start-up CarobWay will introduce its clean-label, low glycemic index sweetener at IFT 2023 in Chicago. The company will demonstrate the new sweetener in gummy and energy bar prototypes, derived from whole carob fruit. The sweetener is made from deseeded pods and is available as a syrup. Udi Alroy, CEO and co-founder of CarobWay, said: “Our natural sugar replacer provides a holistic solution based on all the goodness found in carob. You can plug it easily into almost any food and beverage application. Thanks to our extensive dendrological research, we chose specific varieties of the carob tree that grow locally and whose fruit provides a mild, pleasing caramel flavour. Many carob sweeteners can have a faint bitter note, but CarobWay’s sweetener is clean and flavourful.” Carob is said to have high carbon storage capabilities and flourishes in marginal lands. The sweetener contains D-pinitol – a naturally occurring compound found in plants, and in particular in carob fruit. Research has suggested that people who consumed D-pinitol-rich carob syrup and powder had lower blood glucose levels. The researchers suggest this effect could be owed to its possible insulin-like function, and strong natural antidiabetic and insulin regulating abilities. It has also shown promise as an active anti-Alzheimer, anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory, as well as having the capacity for supporting immunity and liver health, according to CarobWay. Alroy added: “CarobWay’s sweetener is a natural, single ingredient to help food and beverage companies to attain a cleaner label for their products. We welcome visitors to IFT to taste our sweetener in a variety of applications and discover the full benefits of CarobWay sweetener. It can replace up to 100% of the sugars in the energy bar and about 40% of the sugars in gummies. Both demonstration products are plant-based and non-GMO, appealing to consumers who want an enjoyable treat with a purpose.”