Pet Nutrition: pea starch
Nuverta Pea Starch for Pet Nutrition
Clean-label. Functional. Sustainably Made in Belgium.
At Nuverta, we believe in unlocking the full potential of the yellow pea. Our native pea starch is a clean-label, functional ingredient that supports texture, digestibility, and innovation across a wide range of pet food applications, all while being produced sustainably in Belgium.
Sustainability and Local Sourcing
Nuverta pea starch is produced with one of the lowest carbon footprints on the market, just 0.4 kg CO₂ eq. Here’s why:
Yellow peas naturally enrich the soil by fixing nitrogen
Grown in Belgium and neighboring countries
Produced in Mettet, Belgium using a 100% mechanical, chemical-free, water-free process
This ensures a minimal environmental footprint while valorizing every part of the pea - protein, starch, and fiber.
Explore our Life Cycle Assessment
Nutritional Values & Health Benefits
Nuverta’s pea starch is not only functionally powerful, but also nutritionally beneficial:
Nuverta pea starch naturally contains a nice fraction of pea protein and fibre which gives a good pea powered boost to your pets overall health.
Moreover Nuverta pea starch contains about 30% resistant starch, making it a powerful ingredient for gut-friendly, low-glycemic, and functional pet food.
What Is Resistant Starch — and Why Does It Matter for Pets?
Resistant starch is a special type of carbohydrate that isn’t digested in the small intestine. Instead, it travels to the large intestine, where it behaves more like dietary fibre — feeding beneficial gut bacteria and supporting digestive health in dogs and cats.
What Makes Resistant Starch Unique?
Unlike regular starches that break down into glucose (sugar), resistant starch passes through the digestive tract mostly unchanged. Once it reaches the colon, it becomes a fermentation substrate for good bacteria like Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli. These microbes convert it into short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), such as butyrate, which help maintain a healthy gut lining and reduce inflammation.
Health Benefits for Pets
Resistant starch offers a range of benefits for companion animals:
Supports Digestive Health
Acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial gut bacteria and promoting a balanced microbiome.Improves Stool Quality
Helps regulate bowel movements and reduce digestive upset.Stabilizes Blood Sugar
Slows glucose absorption, which may help manage energy levels and reduce insulin spikes — especially important for diabetic or overweight pets.Enhances Satiety
Promotes a feeling of fullness, which can support healthy weight management.Boosts Gut Immunity
SCFAs like butyrate help strengthen the intestinal barrier and reduce inflammation.
Where Is Resistant Starch Found?
Resistant starch naturally occurs in:
Legumes (like yellow peas — the source of Nuverta’s pea starch)
Whole grains
Unripe bananas
Cooked and cooled starchy foods (like potatoes and rice)
In pet food, pea starch is a particularly valuable source of resistant starch — offering both functional and nutritional benefits.
Functional Benefits for Pet Food
Nuverta Pea Starch is a versatile, plant-based ingredient with unique functional properties:
Digestibility: Highly digestible carbohydrate source for dogs and cats.
Texture & Binding: Enhances kibble structure and cohesion in wet and dry pet food.
Gel Formation: Supports firm texture in pâtés and other meat products.
Heat & Shear Stability: Maintains performance under extrusion and retort conditions.
Hypoallergenic: Free from grains, soy, and common allergens.
Ideal for:
Technical Highlights
Good palatability for different animals
High gelatinization temperature (peak at 67°C)
Texture improvement - Gives kibble strength due to high amylose content
Good binding properties - provides firmness and structure in dry and wet applications
Ready to Power Your Pet Food Innovation?
Nuverta Pea Starch is more than a carbohydrate — it’s a multifunctional, sustainable ingredient for modern pet nutrition.
