Long seen as the enemy of healthy diets and weight loss plans, the humble potato may be getting a new lease of life, this time, as a key ingredient in fighting obesity. Kolkata researchers have found a way to turn starchy potatoes into a powerful dietary ally. At the Food Technology and Science Institute (FTSI), under TCG CREST, scientists have devised a method to convert potato starch into high-functioning dietary fibre. This fibre is designed to improve gut health and support weight management.
According to the team, the fibre works as a prebiotic, feeding the gut’s existing good bacteria and helping them thrive, an essential part of maintaining digestion, metabolism, and overall wellness.
Potatoes have long been excluded from weight-loss diets, blamed for belly fat and seen as calorie-dense comfort food. But the development out of FTSI challenges this narrative. The innovation arrives at a time when demand for functional foods is booming in India, with consumers increasingly seeking clean-label, plant-based, and gut-friendly options.
“Much of the core fibre ingredients like inulin, FOS, GOS, and glucans are still imported, mainly from China,” said Prof. Parthasarathi Bhattacharya, Head of FTSI. “That has created concerns around pricing, quality control, and long-term supply.”
Also Read: Eating More Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to 41% Higher Lung Cancer Risk, Study
India harvested more than 60 million tonnes of potatoes in the 2024–25 crop year, making it the second-largest producer in the world. A significant portion of this crop ends up in surplus.
The key lies in a proprietary enzyme developed by the institute. This enzyme can convert starch from potatoes or other carbohydrate-rich crops into dietary fibre.
“We’re using what India already grows in abundance and giving it a new role,” said Prof. Bhattacharya.
Plans are already underway to integrate this fibre into a range of everyday food products. These include vegan ice creams made from potato “milk”, gummies, protein-rich cones, and high-protein snack bars. Designed to appeal to urban consumers, these products aim to provide indulgent snacking experiences without compromising on health goals.
This trend marks a larger consumer shift, from isolated supplements to functional foods that naturally support wellbeing. Unlike probiotics, which involve introducing live bacteria into the body, prebiotics like potato fibre simply nourish the good microbes already present in the gut, making them easier to incorporate into daily diets.
Beyond potato fibre, the team at FTSI is also working on a range of other innovations such as prebiotic gummies, fungi-based proteins, and preliminary research on postbiotics. The overarching goal remains the same: to create functional food ingredients that are rooted in Indian crops and traditional food practices.
With increasing awareness around health and a growing emphasis on ingredient security, the potato, long vilified in diet culture, could be poised for a comeback. This time, not as a source of guilt, but as a scientifically backed, fibre-rich, gut-friendly food that supports weight control and overall wellness.