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Personalised nutrition gaining traction, focus on tailoring diets
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Monday, 10 March, 2025, 08 : 00 AM [IST]
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Dr Sajad Ahmad Wani
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In recent years, more and more people have been paying attention to functional food ingredients as their potential health benefits go beyond simply providing us the nutrition. Now, consumers and food manufacturers are becoming increasingly interested in these ingredients which can be used to fortify foods with greater health benefits. Here's what we covered in this article - What are functional food ingredients, types of functional food ingredients, benefits, emerging trends in the industry.
Definition and Importance
Functional foods ingredients are the compounds such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, prebiotics, fibres and phytochemicals that bring health benefits beyond to basic nutrition. Whereas conventional food ingredients mostly provide energy and essential nutrients, functional foods are represented by other materials of natural origin that contribute to various health benefits (disease prevention or treatment), such as improvement in digestion immune function reduction of the risk or severity of chronic diseases and overall wellness.
The rising consumer health-consciousness has led to the increasing health awareness, increasing incidences of lifestyle related to diseases and advancements in food technology are contributing to the expansion of functional food ingredients. Today, consumers are more educated about their health and looking for foods that not just provide satiety but also help them be healthier.
Types of Functional Food Ingredients
Functional food ingredients can be classified into several categories based on their source and health benefits:
Probiotics and Prebiotics:
Probiotics: They are live beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut microbiota. Typically, dairy products, fermented foods and dietary supplements contain the live bacteria such as Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium which are common strains available commercially.
Prebiotics: Non-digestible fibres that serve as food for probiotics, helping to boost their growth and activity. This includes inulin, fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS).
Fibres:
Soluble fibres are critical for gut health and proper digestion. Common soluble fibres, as ß-glucan or pectin, dissolve in water and lower blood cholesterol. Insoluble fibres (cellulose, lignin), which add bulk to faeces and promote normal defecation.
Phytochemicals:
These bioactive compounds are found in plant cells and protect plants from both external and internal injuries: they have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, anticarcinogenic properties. Phytochemicals such as flavonoids, carotenoids and polyphenols are relatively common in fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds.
Vitamins and Minerals:
Most foods has have added to them essential vitamins (A, C, D, E and K) - thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid - and minerals sodium, potassium chloride, calcium phosphorus, magnesium, iron, zinc, iodine, chromium, copper, manganese, selenium fluoride, molybdenum. Your favourite family breakfast cereal and various milk products are among the most well-known sources of these nutrients.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids:
One of the best alternatives to mackerel fish that we have available as a supplement is Omega 3 fatty acids, present in even more capriciously: flaxseeds or chia. Omega-3 fatty acids are fat-soluble nutrients and improve cardiovascular health. It helps to decrease inflammation, reduce triglyceride levels and can assist with brain function.
Health Benefits of Functional Food Ingredients
There are thousands and hundreds of beneficial facts that the functional food composition offer to your diet, which can guarantee health benefit backed by science:
Improved Digestive Health:
Probiotics and prebiotics play a vital role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiota, which is essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, and immune function. By eating these foods regularly can help with digestive issues related to IBS and constipation.
Enhanced Immunity:
Vitamins also play a role in our immunity and vitamin C, D and probiotics are able to help you prevent yourself from risks of infections or illnesses. For instance, certain studies have proven that probiotics can contribute to an increased antibody production and provide better response to pathogens.
Cardiovascular Health:
Many functional ingredients such as omega-3 fats, many fibres and phytochemicals reducing the cholesterol level, lowering blood pressure and inhibiting the formation of plaques in the arteries can contribute to a healthy heart. A form of soluble fibre that works particularly well for reducing LDL cholesterol is ß-glucan, which is found in oats.
Weight Management:
Products containing certain functional food ingredients such as soluble fibres and protein may assist with weight management by supporting the satiety signal, which helps to reduce overall calorie consumption. These ingredients slow the digestion process, which helps people feel full for a longer time.
Chronic Disease Prevention:
Phytochemicals have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory characteristics which in turn can decrease the chance of chronic disorders including cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases. The compounds are believed to improve heart health, reduce inflammation and help block the development of cancer - for example flavonoids in berries and tea have been associated with a reduced risk of heart disease as well as some cancers.
Emerging Trends in Functional Food Ingredients
Functional ingredients are always trending and evolving to consumer preferences as well as science advancements in the functional food market.
Personalised Nutrition:
Personalised nutrition is gaining traction, with a focus on tailoring diets to individual genetic profiles, lifestyle, and health conditions. Functional food ingredients are being incorporated into personalised nutrition plans to address specific health needs and optimise well-being.
Plant-Based Ingredients:
With increasing preference towards plant-based diets, the market for functional ingredients of botanical origin is among those experiencing a rise in demand. This will include proteins from plants, vegetarian omage-3 fatty acid sources such as algae oil, and many phytochemicals found in array of fruits/ vegetables.
Sustainability:
Sustainability is gaining traction in food sector. Sustainability is an important trend set randomly pursued by the food industry. Functional ingredients produced from sustainable and environmentally friendly processes are gaining admiration. These ingredients range from upcycled food waste to responsible farming practices.
Clean Label:
Consumers are looking for clean brand products with simple, natural, and recognisable ingredients as features they want from food. Consequently, functional food ingredients meet these criteria since they are more accepted than synthetic additives and preservatives.
Technological Advancements:
Food technology has advanced in the creation of individualised, functional ingredients and delivery systems. A good example of this is the microencapsulation that protects sensitive ingredients such as probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids, ensuring their stability so they can fulfil beneficial roles in a wide range of food products.
Conclusion
Due to rising consumer demand and understanding of health-promoting meals, functional food components are a large and expanding area of the food business. These components provide several advantages, such as better immunity, better digestion, and a lower chance of developing chronic illnesses. The market for functional food components is expected to grow as studies on diverse bioactive chemicals reveal more potential. Innovation, sustainability, and customised nutrition are the keys to the future of functional foods, which provide a better and more knowledgeable approach to diet and wellbeing.
(The author is Dr. D.S. Kothari post-doctoral fellow, Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Science and Technology, Kashmir. He can be contacted at sajadwani12@gmail.com)
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