FAQ
Please find the most common questions about ió fibrewater in the FAQ section below.
What is ió fibrewater?
ió fibrewater is a unique and innovative functional water that's infused with prebiotic chicory root fibre (inulin). It helps to support a healthy gut and digestive system and overall health and wellbeing.
Why is fibre important?
Fibre is a proven life-saving superfood – which 90% of us aren't getting enough of.
The average daily fibre intake for UK adults is just 19g. However, 30g is the recommended daily amount of fibre we should be consuming.
Dietary fibre is proven to:
• Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity
• Reduce the risk of colorectal & bowel cancers
• Support the digestive system and reduce constipation
ió fibrewater is a simple way to boost your fibre intake, as one bottle delivers 20% of an adult's recommended daily fibre intake.
Is ió fibrewater vegan?
Yes.
Is ió fibrewater gluten-free?
Yes.
Is ió fibrewater keto-friendly?
Yes, ió fibrewater has just 1.3g of net carbs (carbohydrates) per 500 ml bottle.
4.7g of our carbs are polyols, which are not broken down and absorbed, so they are taken away from total carbohydrates (6g) to arrive at net carbs (1.3g).
Are the ió fibrewater bottles BPA-free?
Yes.
What type of water is in ió fibrewater?
We use ultra-purified filtered water.
Can people with diabetes drink ió fibrewater?
Yes, ió fibrewater is suitable for people with diabetes. One 500 ml bottle contains 0.8g of sugar, 17 kcal and 6g of carbs (of which 4.7g is non-digestible polyols - in the form of erythritol). Erythritol has no effect on blood sugar or blood insulin levels.
Furthermore, promising research has shown that intake of inulin (which is found in ió fibrewater) significantly reduces fasting insulin and insulin resistance in Type II diabetic and prediabetic adults with impaired fasting glucose.
Why do you use plastic bottles?
Our research informed us that people wanted to see what the water looks like, as there is a preconception that a 'fibrewater' will have fibres or 'bits' floating in it. People also told us that they wanted a bottle that was convenient for exercise and grab-and-go friendly. Therefore, we decided to launch the ió fibrewater range in clear PET plastic bottles.
The environment is important to us. The PET bottles that we use are made with 25% recycled plastic and are 100% recyclable. Our goal is to move to even more sustainable packaging by 2024, at which stage we should be large enough to use bottles that are made from 100% recycled plastic or plant-based plastic.
What are 'prebiotic fibres' (aka prebiotics)?
Prebiotic fibres are soluble non-digestible dietary fibres that support the growth of friendly/beneficial bacteria in your gut.
In a nutshell, prebiotic fibres are dietary fibres that reach your gut/large intestine intact (undigested), and they are then selectively fermented by your friendly gut bacteria. This fermentation process helps your friendly gut bacteria to grow and also creates short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) that produce numerous beneficial health effects. In 2016, experts from the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defined the term 'Prebiotic' as:
"a substrate that is selectively utilised by host microorganisms conferring a health benefit."
Are all dietary fibres prebiotic?
No. There are just a few fibres that have been proven scientifically to be prebiotic. They are inulin, resistant starch, oligofructose (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).
What foods have prebiotic fibre?
Prebiotic fibre can be found in some foods such as garlic, onions, Jerusalem artichokes, flaxseed, okra and sweet potatoes.
However, the actual amount of prebiotic fibre found in these foods is relatively low, and you would have to eat a lot of these foods every single day to experience the health benefits.
That's why supplementing with ió fibrewater is a great thing to do, because you know that you are getting 4.5g of prebiotic fibre in each bottle (100% of your recommended daily prebiotics intake), in addition to 20% of your daily recommended fibre intake.
What kind of ingredients do you use?
All the ingredients in ió fibrewater are natural in origin. We use no artificial sweeteners, preservatives, flavours or colours.
Lemon & Lime ingredients:
Filtered water, chicory root fibre (inulin), erythritol, non-GMO corn fibre, flavourings, acidity regulator: citric acid, Sicilian lemon oil, sweetener: steviol glycosides (from Stevia)
Strawberry ingredients:
Filtered water, chicory root fibre (inulin), erythritol, non-GMO corn fibre, flavourings, acidity regulator: citric acid, sweetener: steviol glycosides (from Stevia)
About the chicory root fibre in ió fibrewater
Chicory root fibre (inulin) is a prebiotic fibre, which is the 'special food' friendly bacteria (probiotics) need to grow and flourish. The specific chicory root fibre that we use in ió fibrewater is manufactured by Beneo GmbH, who led the way in achieving two authorised UK and EU health claims for chicory root fibre.
There have been over 4,000 studies on prebiotics (over 1,000 of which are specifically related to chicory root fibre/inulin), which evidence their positive effects on health and wellbeing.
These studies cover:
•Digestive health
•Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease
•Reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity
•Reducing the risk of colorectal cancers
•Improving sleep
•Improving mood
•Supporting weight management (for children and adults)
•Immune support
About the erythritol in ió fibrewater
Erythritol is a white crystalline powder with approximately 60-70% the sweetness of sugar. Erythritol is a sugar alcohol, and it can be considered naturally sourced or of natural origin because it is manufactured via the yeast fermentation of plant-based raw materials, such as grapes and melons.
We use erythritol in ió fibrewater as a plant-based flavour enhancer and sweetener.
About the non-GMO corn fibre in ió fibrewater
Non-GMO corn fibre provides 25% of our fibre content, and it is manufactured in Holland from corn grown within the European Union. It is considered non-GMO under EC regulations 1820 and 1830/2003.
The main benefits our product derives from using non-GMO corn fibre are:
1. Corn fibre has been shown to have over two times the digestive tolerance of chicory root fibre (inulin), meaning that there is less likelihood of any digestive discomfort when drinking ió fibrewater, compared to getting 20% of your daily fibre from just inulin alone.
2. Fermentation of inulin by your good bacteria predominantly occurs in the higher region of the colon (large intestine), while corn fibre is predominantly fermented in the lower region. So, combining both inulin and corn fibre together in ió fibrewater better ensures that the good bacteria throughout your colon are fed and kept healthy.
Nutritional profile of ió fibrewater
Strawberry and Lemon & Lime ió fibrewater flavours have
the same nutritional profile as shown below.
Per 500 ml
Energy (kJ) - 70kJ
Energy (kcal) - 17kcal
Fat - 0g
(of which saturates) - 0g
Carbohydrates - 6g
(of which sugars) - 0.8g
(of which polyols) - 4.7g
Fibre - 6g
Protein - 0g
Salt - 0g
Each ió fibrewater flavour provides 6g of fibre with only 17 kcal, 6g of carbs and 0.8g of natural sugars per bottle.
ió fibrewater is vegan friendly and gluten-free.
What is the recommeded daily intake of ió fibrewater for children & adults?
Ages 2-4: 170 ml (1/3 bottle) each day for 4 days, after which you can gradually increase to tolerance as per your requirements.
Ages 5-14: 250 ml (1/2 bottle) each day for 4 days, after which you can gradually increase to tolerance as per your requirements.
Ages 15+: 500 ml (full bottle) each day for two weeks, after which you can gradually increase to tolerance as per your requirements.
How should I store ió fibrewater?
Unopened bottles of ió fibrewater can be stored at room temperature, but preferably they should be stored in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight.
Once opened, please keep ió fibrewater refrigerated and consume within 1 day (24 hours).
What should I expect when drinking ió fibrewater?
Everyone is unique, and experiences with ió fibrewater can vary depending on your gut microbiome.
A small minority of people will experience a slight 'bubbly tummy' for the first few days; however, it is important to know that this will settle down. It is a sign that the prebiotic fibre is starting to interact with your gut microbiome. Please see our 'What to expect' page.
From our research, people drinking ió fibrewater can experience a wide range of health benefits (listed below*).
However, it is important to know that even if you do not notice any physical or mental improvements in the first instance, the prebiotic fibre is feeding your friendly bacteria and helping to establish a happier, healthier gut microbiome. Additionally, you are boosting your dietary fibre intake with each bottle (which contains 20% of the daily recommended fibre intake), which is important for good digestion and overall health and wellbeing.
*41 people drinking a bottle of ió fibrewater daily for 12 days, experienced the following benefits:
1. 73% had an improvement in sleep quality.
2. 73% had an improvement in energy levels.
3. 69% had an improvement in mood/mental wellbeing.
4. 54% had an improvement in mental clarity.
5. 66% of people noticed an improvement in stool frequency (pooping).
6. 73% of self-identified ‘snackers’ in the group reported a reduction in snacking and feeling more satiated when drinking ió fibrewater.
7. Across the whole group of people, 61% reported not needing to eat as much at mealtime.
8. 41% of people stated that they were thinking less about food and eating over the 12 days. While another 37% were ‘maybe’ thinking less about food.
9. 75% of those with ongoing digestive issues/complaints prior to drinking ió fibrewater experienced improvements in their symptoms during the 12 days.
*This data is from survey results captured from a sample of drinkers of ió fibrewater.
When should I drink ió fibrewater?
You can enjoy ió fibrewater any time of day.
What if I have a sensitive stomach?
Depending on your age, you may want to drink just half the recommended dose to start with each day and then slowly increase once your body has adjusted after two weeks. See our recommended dose per age-group below:
Ages 2-4: 170 ml (1/3 bottle) for two weeks, after which you can gradually increase to tolerance as per your requirements.
Ages 5-14: 250 ml (1/2 bottle) for two weeks, after which you can gradually increase to tolerance as per your requirements.
Ages 15+: 500 ml (full bottle) for two weeks, after which you can gradually increase to tolerance as per your requirements.
Is ió fibrewater safe to drink long-term?
Yes!
ió fibrewater provides 4.5g of prebiotics (prebiotic fibre), and according to the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, you should be consuming 3 to 5g of prebiotics daily for general health benefits.
Furthermore, ió fibrewater provides 20% of your recommended dietary fibre intake in each 500 ml bottle (6g), making it an easy way to incorporate fibre into your daily routine. (UK government guidelines recommend adults consume 30g of fibre per day).
Can I take probiotics with ió fibrewater?
Yes! Probiotics and prebiotics go hand in hand to create an optimal gut microbiome.
Prebiotics act as a food source for probiotics. In fact, without prebiotics, probiotic bacteria will not survive for a long time, so it's essential to feed them with prebiotics!
Recently, Glasgow Caledonian University did a study on ió fibrewater and proved that it causes a significant increase in friendly bacteria compared to regular flavoured water. Within 48 hours, probiotic bacteria S. Boulardii was 4 million percent higher, and B. Coagulans 25 thousand percent higher with ió fibrewater versus regular flavoured water. These two friendly bacteria can help boost the immune system and support digestive health.
ió fibrewater, can therefore be used with probiotic supplements to boost their effectiveness. Additionally, we recommend consuming fermented foods and drinks that have probiotic bacteria in them naturally (i.e. sauerkraut, kimchi and kefir) as part of your regular diet, in addition to drinking ió fibrewater.
Is ió fibrewater safe for children?
There have been numerous studies proving the safety and efficacy of chicory root fibre (inulin) for children.
Like with fruit juice or smoothies, we recommend that ió fibrewater not be given to newborn infants.
ió fibrewater is suitable for children from ages 2+ and can be an effective way to ensure your little one consumes enough fibre.
Can ió fibrewater be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding?
Yes. ió fibrewater does not contain any food or drink ingredients recommended for avoidance during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, as with any significant dietary changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, you may wish to consult with your healthcare professional first.
Is ió fibrewater suitable for a low FODMAP diet and for someone with IBS?
IBS is associated with dysbiosis from low bifidobacteria levels (a friendly bacteria), and prebiotics are discussed as part of the solution when it comes to overcoming dysbiosis.
Current data shows that inulin is well tolerated by IBS patients at modest intakes. A 2017 study indicated that: "a daily dose (8g) of inulin (chicory root fibre), which promotes the proliferation of bifidobacteria, is well tolerated by hypersensitive subjects with gastrointestinal complaints and may have favourable effects on gut function."
Our research has found that ió fibrewater is generally well-tolerated in people with IBS, however, every individual is unique. A small percentage of people are acutely sensitive to inulin and may find ió fibrewater unsuitable for them.
If you are following a low FODMAP diet, initially, when you are in the first phase, it is recommended that you reduce the amount of fructans (including inulin) that you consume.
After completing the first phase of your low FODMAP diet, you can then look at adding inulin (and ió fibrewater) to test your tolerance, starting at 1/2 bottle (250 ml).
ió fibrewater has 4.5g of inulin per bottle, and 25% of our fibre (1.5g) comes from non-GMO corn fibre, which has over two times the digestive tolerance of inulin, reducing the likelihood of digestive discomfort. Combining both inulin and corn fibre in ió fibrewater helps to minimise any GI (gastrointestinal) discomfort and makes ió fibrewater more suitable for people with IBS than just inulin alone, or FOS (fructooligosaccharides), or GOS (galactooligosaccharides).
For adults with IBS but not on a low FODMAP diet, we suggest trying half of a bottle (250 ml) of ió fibrewater to gauge its effects and your GI tolerance. If you experience no GI symptoms from this amount, we recommend increasing your intake of ió fibrewater over the next few days to 1 bottle per day and consuming this amount for two weeks.
What are the health benefits of prebiotics?
There have been over 4,000 research articles published in the last ten years, and the 'prebiotic effect' is a well-established scientific fact.
Prebiotics feed the good bacteria already in your gut, which results in the growth of more good bacteria, and intake of prebiotics is linked to a wide range of health benefits, including:
• Reduced risk of obesity and improved appetite regulation
• Improvements in sleep
• Improvements in mood
• Stimulation of the immune system
• Improvements in digestive health
• Reduced risk of colorectal cancer
• Better mineral absorption for calcium and magnesium
• Improved blood glucose levels
• A reduction in pathogenic (aka ‘bad’) bacteria
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and lowering LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol
• Better bowel regularity and prevention against constipation
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041804/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705355/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041804/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20920376
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622781/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128051863000114
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550857/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3376865/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29027814
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12088522
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22835137
https://file.scirp.org/pdf/FNS_2014062613094394.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3827017/
What were the results from 28 people taking part in our 12 day challenge?
41 people drinking a bottle of ió fibrewater daily for 12 days, experienced the following benefits:
1. 73% had an improvement in sleep quality.
2. 73% had an improvement in energy levels.
3. 69% had an improvement in mood/mental wellbeing.
4. 54% had an improvement in mental clarity.
5. 66% of people noticed an improvement in stool frequency (pooping).
6. 73% of self-identified ‘snackers’ in the group reported a reduction in snacking and feeling more satiated when drinking ió fibrewater.
7. Across the whole group of people, 61% reported not needing to eat as much at mealtime.
8. 41% of people stated that they were thinking less about food and eating over the 12 days. While another 37% were ‘maybe’ thinking less about food.
9. 75% of those with ongoing digestive issues/complaints prior to drinking ió fibrewater experienced improvements in their symptoms during the 12 days.
*This data is from survey results captured from a sample of drinkers of ió fibrewater.
We’re here to help
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us at hello@iofibrewater.co.uk, and one of our team members will come back to you as soon as possible.
Address
The Prebiotic Company Ltd
Third Floor, 3 Hill Street,
Edinburgh, United Kingdom,
EH2 3JP
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