COMPANY FOCUS
Food over medicine:
the importance of purposeful ingredients Functional food is gaining popularity within health and wellness circles, and a growing number of consumers are taking a proactive approach by turning to food rather than medicine for the health benefits of these foods. This trend has given rise to a new sub-category under the nutraceuticals umbrella.
F
unctional foods offer health benefits
consumers. Probiotics can deliver improved
beyond their nutritional value. In
digestive health, which in turn shows an effect
addition to nutrient-rich products
on general wellness. With more consumers
like fruits and vegetables, the category
and brands experimenting with the ingredient,
also includes foods fortified with vitamins,
the global probiotics market is projected
minerals, probiotics and fibre.
to continue its steady exponential growth.
A functional ingredient is a bioactive
Probiotics also play a role in the host’s
FACT BOX Cococin (freeze-dried tender coconut water solids rich in nutrients) in health drinks can make it a great
compound that can be used in the
health due to its involvement in nutritional,
symbiotic functional drink
manufacture of functional food products.
immunological and physiological functions [2].
and beneficially influence the balance of microbiota in the
These bioactive compounds can be obtained from various sources such as plant-based
HEALTH & IMMUNITY
produce, marine sources, microorganisms, and
Immune health has gained focus in the current
inorganic raw materials. Functional ingredients
world, especially after the pandemic. A healthy
April also be derived from food processing
immune system can significantly improve
waste, providing additional economic benefits
productivity, mood, mental clarity, stress, and
to food businesses [1].
energy. While a wide range of consumers value
rising at a fast pace in developing countries
gastrointestinal tract.
Obesity is a global problem and numbers are
immunity, it is especially critical for families
and it becomes a major public health concern.
WE NEED IT
with children, athletes, older adults, and
Economic costs associated with obesity are
Eating habits have a direct impact on gut
anyone experiencing stress.
high and increasing as the rate of obesity. Obesity leads to its co-morbidities; namely
health, which predominantly determines the individual’s overall health. The change in
WEIGHT MANAGEMENT
diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular
food consumption, increased high-energy
Weight management and obesity prevention
diseases, osteoarthritis, stroke and
processed food and unbalanced diets have
are among the primary aims of health
inflammatory diseases. Changes in life-style
led to several chronic diseases like obesity,
organisations to decrease the prevalence of
along with modifications of diet are important
osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular
various metabolic disorders. Positive effects
in the management of obesity. Positive effects
diseases – and even allergies. Functional
in managing obesity by natural components
in managing obesity by natural components,
foods can help in mitigating these health
and selected foods have drawn attention to
and selected foods have drawn attention due
problems and improve the overall health
the potential side effects of obesity drugs [4].
to the potential side effects of obesity drugs.
of society.
As part of the diet, functional foods could help
The food industry has developed low-density
weight management by thermogenesis
foods to reduce energy intake. Now focus
DIGESTIVE HEALTH
and modify the trafficking of nutrients in
has been geared towards the development of
Digestive health is a top priority for many
the body [3, 4].
foods that possess more than one mechanism
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April 2021 | FOOD REVIEW
