Frequently Asked Questions

About Alchemy Fibre

What is Alchemy Fibre?

Alchemy Fibre products are:
✓ Low in glycemic index (GI)
✓ High in Fibre
✓ High in Prebiotics

These are made from blends of plant-based fibers that make carbohydrates healthier without affecting their taste and texture.

Alchemy Fibre products are available in various powder blends and are easy to incorporate to various types of carbohydrate-based foods like rice, noodles, bread and even steamed buns. 

What is Alchemy Fibre made of?

Alchemy Fibre products are blends of fibers, and each product blend is made from different plants. Example of plant sources include chicory root, pea, corn, tapioca, tuber roots, beans and legumes.

Is Alchemy Fibre organic and non-GMO?

While Alchemy Fibre products are made from plant-based ingredients, there are not organic. However, they are non-GMO.

Is Alchemy Fibre Halal certified?

Yes, all of our products are Halal certified.

Is Alchemy Fibre safe to consume?

Yes! All ingredients are GRAS-certified (Generally Recognized As Safe) and are sourced from food-grade suppliers.

Are there other products like Alchemy Fibre in the market?

While there are other wholegrain options available, many people still find the switch difficult due to a significant difference in the food's taste, texture and color, and not all wholegrain products are able to reduce the digestibility of carbohydrate-rich food as much as Alchemy Fibre can.  Alchemy Fibre is currently the only solution in the market which can make refined carbohydrates healthier without compromising the taste, texture and appearance of the food. It is fully patented in Singapore and have patents pending in other countries.

 

About Alchemy Fibre For Rice

What is Alchemy Fibre For Rice made of?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice is 100% plant-based. It is a special blend of inulin and edible gum.

Inulin is a type of dietary fiber found naturally in a wide variety of plants such as chicory root. It has been linked to several health benefits like improving digestive health that aid in the management of diabetes.

Edible gum is naturally derived from plant sources such as guar beans and carob seed and is a soluble fiber that helps to slow down the digestion of carbohydrates.

How does Alchemy Fibre For Rice work?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice absorbs water and forms a gel around the starch chain, making it harder for digestive enzymes to reach it. This slows down the digestion process so less glucose is released, thereby reducing the glycemic index (GI) of white rice.

Is Alchemy Fibre For Rice given the Healthier Choice Symbol (HCS) by the Health Promotion Board?

There is no category which the Alchemy Fibre For Rice falls under in the Healthier Choice Symbol ingredient list. The only categories that qualify for the Healthier Choice Symbol include convenience meals, sauces, beverages, breads, noodles, breakfast cereals, etc.

What is Alchemy Fibre For Rice and what is it used for?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice is a patented, plant-based fiber blend that is made specifically for rice. When added to rice during the cooking process, Alchemy Fibre For Rice reduces the glycemic index (GI) of white rice making it similar to that of brown rice. It also increases the fiber content by up to 10 times.


Benefit of Alchemy Fibre For Rice

What are the benefits of consuming Alchemy Fibre For Rice?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice is a quick addition to the cooking process of rice to lower its glycemic index (GI) and increase its fibre content. Studies have shown that consuming carbohydrates that are lower GI and higher in fiber can lead to improved cholesterol and glucose levels, and also has other benefits to the digestive system.

It can be used with all types of rice and rice-based dishes, and can also be used in cooking porridge, soups, and gravies.

Who can benefit from the consumption of Alchemy Fibre For Rice?

Anyone who wish to have a healthier diet without making drastic changes to their appetite or food preparation will benefit from and enjoy Alchemy Fibre For Rice. It does not alter the taste, texture, or appearance of your rice-based dishes, soups, and sauces while increasing its fiber content and lowers its glycemic index, promoting better health while keeping the same great-tasting carbohydrate-based foods you love as it is.

Is Alchemy Fibre For Rice suitable for diabetics/pre-diabetics?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice has been clinically tested and proven by the Sydney University’s GI Research Service (SUGiRS) under ISO26642:2010 to lower the glycemic index (GI) of white rice from high to medium, which makes it at par with brown rice.

Diabetics and pre-diabetics will certainly benefit from rice with lower glycemic index (GI) made with Alchemy Fibre For Rice, as the consumption of lower-GI foods has been associated with better management of blood glucose levels. However, eating in moderation is still the key to a healthy lifestyle.

Is Alchemy Fibre For Rice suitable for infants?

The main ingredient in Alchemy Fibre For Rice is inulin, which is a soluble dietary fiber, and is generally considered safe for consumption even by infants. Studies have shown that consumption of 1.5 to 2g of inulin for babies six months and up is beneficial to their gut health. If you use one heaped tablespoon (15g) of Alchemy Fibre For Rice to one cup of rice (150g) and your child consumes  less than 20g of raw rice in a day (assuming you make porridge with the rice), the consumption should fall within the recommended range.

Is there anyone or any health condition where Alchemy Fibre For Rice is not recommended? Why?

Most people can enjoy the benefits of Alchemy Fibre For Rice when consumed at its recommended serving size (5 to 7 grams per serving). The recommended daily fiber intake is at least 20 grams for women and 26 grams for men, which equates to approximately 2 servings of fruits and vegetables. Many struggle to meet this daily requirement, hence the need for an additional and alternative fiber source in their diet.

Note, however, that excessive consumption of fiber may result in flatulence, bloating or diarrhea in some individuals.

Does consuming rice with Alchemy Fibre For Rice equate to the benefits of consuming healthier rice like brown rice?

Adding Alchemy Fibre For Rice to rice helps to lower the glycemic index of white rice, and makes it nutritionally similar to brown rice. Doing so also increases the fiber content of white rice up to 2.5 times to that of brown rice or up to 10 times to that of white rice.

However, using Alchemy Fibre For Rice with rice does not give the additional vitamins and minerals of brown rice such as vitamin B1, B3 and B6, manganese, and magnesium.

How does white rice cooked with Alchemy Fibre For Rice compare to regularly cooked white rice?

White rice and Japanese rice are high in glycemic index (GI), and adding Alchemy Fibre For Rice reduces this to the medium GI range (similar as brown rice). Interestingly, based on the results of our study, the glycemic index of Japanese rice falls to the low GI range when cooked with Alchemy Fibre For Rice.

Why is there sugar content in Alchemy Fibre For Rice? Is it suitable for people with diabetes?

Inulin, the main ingredient in Alchemy Fibre For Rice, is a type of soluble dietary fiber that is extracted from plants. There are naturally-occurring sugars that are present in plants where the inulin is extracted from. However, these sugars are present only in small amounts. Rice cooked with Alchemy Fibre For Rice only contains 0.4 grams of sugar per serving (when cooked based on package instructions). Additionally, human glycemic index (GI) studies have shown that white rice cooked with Alchemy Fibre For Rice lowers its GI level and increases its fiber content. Consuming foods that have a low glycemic index and are high in fiber has been shown to be beneficial for those with diabetes.

Does Alchemy Fibre For Rice prevent weight gain?

Fiber is an important nutrient that is often overlooked, and according to established literature, consumption of adequate fiber may promote weight loss. More than the weight loss, Alchemy Fibre For Rice also has other health benefits such as reducing the risk of chronic diseases.

Does Alchemy Fibre For Rice help reduce calorie intake?

The addition of Alchemy Fibre to carbohydrate-rich foods does not significantly reduce their calorie content. However, using Alchemy Fibre blends increases their dietary fiber content. Having a balanced diet with enough dietary fiber has been shown to be beneficial to both the gut and metabolic health.


Storage & Usage of Alchemy Fibre For Rice

How do I use (cook with) Alchemy Fibre For Rice

  1. Wash and drain rice, add water as required based on type of rice.
  2. Measure 15g (1 heaped tablespoon or 1 level measuring tablespoon) of Alchemy Fibre For Rice with every 150g of rice (1 rice cup)
  3. Combine Alchemy Fibre For Rice with soaked rice. Stir well to dissolve the powder, ensuring no lumps.
  4. Cook as you usually do in a rice cooker or steam over a stove.
  5. Once cooked, use a rice paddle to fluff the rice before serving.

    Note: For congee or porridge, you may use the same ratio of Alchemy Fibre powder to uncooked rice. Cook your congee or porridge as how you normally would with the desired amount of water. For use in soups or gravies, you can dissolve the powder into the liquid and cook as usual.

How to store Alchemy Fibre For Rice?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice easy dissolves in water. Water exists in the air as vapor and can get into the packaging if not sealed tightly, causing the fibre powder to clump.

Always seal the packaging properly, and store it in a cool dry place. For additional protection, store it in an air-tight container, or use a tight clip to double seal the packaging.

How long is Alchemy Fibre For Rice good for after opening?

As long as the product is sealed properly and stored in a cool and dry place, it can last until the expiry date printed on the package.

Once opened, store your Alchemy Fibre products in an airtight container in a cool dry place or in the fridge.

Can I use Alchemy Fibre For Rice for baking?

We do not recommend using Alchemy Fibre For Rice for baking as the fiber used in this blend is water-soluble and is more suitable for cooking rice, porridge, soups, or gravies.

For baking, we recommend using the Alchemy Fibre for Flour. This fiber blend can be used in any recipe that uses plain flour or cake flour in a 15:85 Alchemy Fiber  for Flour to flour ratio.

Can Alchemy Fibre For Rice be added to pasta?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice is water soluble so if there is any sauce in the pasta for the pasta to absorb during the cooking process, technically, you can enjoy the benefits of Alchemy Fibre. Please note that for such applications, we have not done any GI studies. However, there is certainly an increase in dietary fiber content.

Can I only use Alchemy Fibre For Rice with white rice only? Can it be used with brown rice and other types of rice?

Alchemy Fibre For Rice can be used with all types of rice. However, our data is largely based on white rice so the benefits observed may be different when it is used with other types of rice. However, in all cases, there will be a beneficial effect on the fiber content.

Can I use Alchemy Fibre For Rice in other carbohydrates (non-rice based ones) such as noodles, pasta, bread or pastries?

Even though there are Alchemy Fibre blends available for a wide range of carb-rich food products, different blends work better with certain carbs. For example, Alchemy Fibre For Rice can be used to cook rice, porridge, or can be added to soups and gravies. This blend, however, is not suitable for baking and working with flour-based recipes.

If we were to make chicken rice, fried rice or any other rice dishes, will adding Alchemy Fibre For Rice still help to lower the dish’s GI?

While our GI studies were done on plain cooked Jasmine and Japanese white rice, we have also conducted lab tests on chicken rice and braised duck rice. Extrapolating the data from these studies suggest that the addition of Alchemy Fibre For Rice to these food products is likely to also lower their glycemic index.

Can I consume too much dietary fibre? What are the consequences of consuming too much dietary fibre?

While there is no medically recommended upper limit to fiber consumption, the Health Promotion Board (HPB) in Singapore recommends women to consume about 20 grams and men 26 grams of dietary fibre per day. The majority of the people do not meet this daily recommended amount and suffer from ailments including constipation and poor gut health.

On the other hand, overconsumption of dietary fiber can lead to intestinal discomfort such as bloating, flatulence and diarrhea. As such, individuals should consume close to the daily recommended amount of dietary fibre and get their fibre from a variety of sources.

Who is Alchemy Fibre For Rice meant for?

Anyone who wish to have a healthier diet without making drastic changes to their appetite or food preparation. It does not alter the taste, texture, or appearance of your your favorite carbohydrate-based foods while increasing its fiber content and lowers its glycemic index, promoting better health while keeping the same great-tasting carbohydrate-based foods you love as it is.

Can people with gastric pain consume Alchemy Fibre For Rice?

If the gastric pains is due to stress or irregular meals, then it should be safe. But if the gastric pain is due to bloating, then there might be concerns with taking in more fiber. It might be better to have yourself checked with a licensed physician first and confirm if it is safe to consume any fiber in your diet.

Are there side effects to consuming Alchemy Fibre For Rice?

We do not expect any side effects when consuming Alchemy Fibre For Rice as long as it is consumed at its recommended serving size. However, excessive consumption may result in flatulence, bloating or diarrhea as is expected with the consumption of excessive amount of any type of fiber.


About Alchemy Fibre For Flour

What is Alchemy Fibre For Flour?

Alchemy Fibre For Flour is a plant-based fibre blend that can be added to any recipe requiring the use of plain or cake flour. Benefits include increasing the dietary fiber content to up to 3.5 times more than the original recipe, as well as reducing the use of fat to yield the same great-tasting baked goods.

To use Alchemy Fibre For Flour, substitute 15% of the plain flour or cake flour with the Alchemy Fiber for Flour.

What is Alchemy Fibre For Flour made from?

Resistant starch, inulin, and wheat gluten.

How do I use Alchemy Fibre For Flour?

For every 200g of plain flour, remove 30g (15%) and replace it with Alchemy Fibre For Flour. Cook or bake as per usual.

Can I use Alchemy Fibre For Flour with bread flour?

Alchemy Fibre For Flour is meant to be used with a 15% substitution to plain or cake flour. If meaning to use with bread flour for bread making for example, the recommendation is to add back about 0.5g of gluten which is about 1/4 teaspoon of gluten per 100g of bread flour. So if the recipe calls for 100g of bread flour, use 85g of bread flour + 15g of Alchemy Fibre For Flour and 0.5g of wheat gluten.

Where can I buy Alchemy Fibre For Flour?

Alchemy Fibre For Flour is available at our online store, and both Alchemy Foodtech Philippines’ official Lazada and Shopee online stores.

Does Alchemy Fibre for Flour reduce GI for baked goods?

Alchemy Fibre blends are low in glycemic index, have high fiber (from plant-based sources) content, and are high in prebiotics. On its own, all blends of Alchemy Fibre products have a low glycemic index. When added to rice, Alchemy Fibre for Rice lowers the glycemic index of white rice from high to medium or low (based on a study we conducted on white rice). However, for Alchemy Fibre for Flour with baked goods, there are currently many permutations for recipes, so we have not obtained any GI studies and data to substantiate.


About Alchemy No Sugar Added Premixes

What are Alchemy Premixes made of?

Each Alchemy Premix contains Alchemy Fibre. Please see the back of each Premix packaging for the full list of ingredients. Our premixes are suitable for lacto-ovo-vegetarians as they require wet ingredients such as milk, eggs and butter. Each Premix also contains wheat (gluten).

How do I use Alchemy Premixes?

Please follow the instructions stated at the pack of each Premix packaging. Please note that each Premix requires additional wet ingredients such as eggs, butter and milk. You may also refer to the product page of each premix to see the cooking or baking instructions.

Do Alchemy Premixes baked goods have lower GI than standard premixes?

Alchemy Fibre blends are low in glycemic index, have high fiber (from plant-based sources) content, and are high in prebiotics. On its own, all blends of Alchemy Fibre products have a low glycemic index. When added to rice, Alchemy Fibre for Rice lowers the glycemic index of white rice from high to medium or low (based on a study we conducted on white rice). However, for Alchemy Fibre for Flour with baked goods, there are currently many permutations for recipes, so we have not obtained any GI studies and data to substantiate.

 

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