Functional Foods Sources And Health Benefits

The objective of this book is to provide complete coursed content of functional foods related subjects in ICAR, CSIR and UGC institutions in Food Technology, Dairy Technology, Food & Nutrition, Post Harvest Technology, Agricultural and Food Process Engineering discipline. The book contains fourteen chapters on the topics such as Introduction to Functional Foods, Nutrition for all Ages, Food Fortification, Low Calorie Food, Sports Food, Herbs as Functional Foods, Prebiotics, Probiotics & Synbiotics, Functional Dairy Products, Role of Cereal in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Functional Components from Fruits & Vegetables, Functional Meat Products, Immunomodulatory Response of Fermented Dairy Products, Consumer Response towards Functional Foods. The content of the book will be helpful for B.Tech, M.Tech, M.Sc. & Ph.D. students of above mentioned disciplines. These topics will also be helpful for the students preparing for ICAR-ARS examination as these provide subjective information of the subject.

Food has significant societal, historical and religious roles, in addition to nutritional value. It represents cultures and customs, provides opportunities for sharing, giving and social interaction and offers nutrition, pleasure and satisfaction. Technically, all foods are functional, as they fulfill a basic human need and provide nutritive value. However, the term functional food implies an additional physiological benefit beyond meeting basic nutritional needs. Functional food is not only a dietary product providing basic nutritional function of supplying nutrients but it is also known as a health-promoting and/or disease-preventing substance. Functional food has been recognised as a separate category in the food market and it is one of the worlds most intensive areas of food product innovation. This book discusses the sources, health effects and future perspectives of functional foods.

In recent years, the concern of society about how food influences the health status of people has increased. Consumers are increasingly aware that food can prevent the development of certain diseases, so in recent years, the food industry is developing new, healthier products taking into account aspects such as trans fats, lower caloric intake, less salt, etc. However, there are bioactive compounds that can improve the beneficial effect of these foods and go beyond the nutritional value. This book provides information on impact of bioactive ingredients (vitamins, antioxidants, compounds of the pulses, etc.) on nutrition through food, how functional foods can prevent disease, and tools to evaluate the effects of bioactive ingredients, functional foods, and diet.

Functional foods are foods which contain bioactive components, either from plant or animal sources, which can have health benefits for the consumer over and above their nutritional value. Foods which have antioxidant or cancer-combating components are in high demand from health conscious consumers: much has been made of the health-giving qualities of fruits and vegetables in particular. Conversely, foods which have been processed are suffering an image crisis, with many consumers indiscriminately assuming that any kind of processing robs food of its “natural goodness”. To date, there has been little examination of the actual effects – whether positive or negative – of various types of food processing upon functional foods. This book highlights the effects of food processing on the active ingredients of a wide range of functional food materials, with a particular focus on foods of Asian origin. Asian foods, particularly herbs, are becoming increasingly accepted and demanded globally, with many Western consumers starting to recognize and seek out their health-giving properties. This book focuses on the extraction of ingredients which from materials which in the West are seen as “alternative” - such as flour from soybeans instead of wheat, or bran and starch from rice – but which have long histories in Asian cultures. It also highlight the incorporation of those bioactive compounds in foods and the enhancement of their bioavailability. Functional Foods and Dietary Supplements: Processing Effects and Health Benefits will be required reading for those working in companies, research institutions and universities that are active in the areas of food processing and agri-food environment. Food scientists and engineers will value the new data and research findings contained in the book, while environmentalists, food regulatory agencies and other food industry personnel involved in functional food production or development will find it a very useful source of information.

Functional Foods Presenting cutting-edge information on new and emerging food engineering processes, Functional Foods, the second volume in the groundbreaking new series, “Bioprocessing in Food Science,” is an essential reference on the modeling, quality, safety, and technologies associated with food processing operations today. Functional Foods, the second volume in series, “Bioprocessing in Food Science,” is an up-to-date, comprehensive volume covering the preparation, processes and health benefits of functional foods. Written and edited by a team of experts in the field, this important new volume provides readers extensive knowledge about different types of traditional and commercially available functional foods from different sources, such as milk, meat, cereals, millets and fruits and vegetables. The main objective of this book is to disseminate knowledge about the recent technologies developed in the field of functional foods to students, researchers, and industry professionals. This will enable them to make crucial decisions regarding the adoption, implementation, economics, and constraints of the different technologies. As the demand for healthy food is increasing, manufacturers are searching for new possibilities for occupying a growing share in the rapidly changing food market. Covering the use of conventional and non-conventional sources, prebiotics, probiotics and many other topics, with emphasis on their functionality in food systems, this volume also provides insights on the specific packaging requirements for functional foods with maximum illustrations of how to enhance shelf life and create superior quality products. The authors and editors discuss the need for regulatory frameworks, government bodies, guidelines, and their challenges within the context of the functional food market. Whether for the veteran engineer or scientist, the student, or a manager or other technician working in the field, this volume is a must-have for any library. This outstanding new volume: Discusses an overview of functional foods including global regulations, legislations and packaging requirements Provides knowledge of functional ingredients and health benefits of functional foods from different plants, animals, and microbes sources Acquaints the readers about technological aspects for functional ingredients delivery Addresses the basic to advanced aspects of different functional foods, combining the requirements, health benefits and regulations, showcasing the development of functional food products with potential functional benefits Audience: Process and chemical engineers, chemists, engineers in other disciplines, managers, researchers, scientists, students, and teachers working in the field of food engineering and processing

The Europiiische Akademie is concerned with the study of scientific and technolog ical advances for the individual, society and the natural environment. The work of the academy is interdisciplinary drawing on relevant academic disciplines so far as they can inform the debate on consequences and suggest solutions. This book is dedicated to the issue of Functional Foods, a rather topical issue with important ramifications for the overall quality of life. It is the result of the Europiiische Akademie's working group "Functional Foods" which worked from January 2001 to June 2003. Since the times of Hippocrates, we view "food as our medicine, and medicine as our food"; a view that is confirmed by nowadays science which agrees that diet is related to health, well-being and the prevention of disease. At the same time, food related diseases have reached epidemic proportions in western societies while obe sity is spreading rapidly in all parts and strata of modern society. The cost for the health system is significant while the reduction in quality of life is immeasurable.

The global market of foods with health claims remains highly dynamic and is predicted to expand even further. Consumers have become increasingly aware of the importance of consuming healthy foods in order to have a well-balanced diet and this has increased the demand for foods with health benefits. On the other hand, the food sector companies are trying to meet the new consumers' expectations while designing a variety of novel, enhanced products. Thus, understanding the potential uses of bioactive compounds in food products, the wide range of therapeutic effects, and the possible mechanisms of action is essential for developing healthier products. Covering important aspects of valuable food molecules, this book revises the current knowledge, providing scientifically demonstrated information about the benefits and uses of functional food components, their applications, and the future challenges in nutrition and diet.

Functional foods and nutraceuticals are food products that naturally offer or have been modified to offer additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. As such products have surged in popularity in recent years, it is crucial that researchers and manufacturers understand the concepts underpinning functional foods and the opportunity they represent to improve human health, reduce healthcare costs, and support economic development worldwide. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals: Bioactive Components, Formulations and Innovations presents a guide to functional foods from experienced professionals in key institutions around the world. The text provides background information on the health benefits, bioavailability, and safety measurements of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Subsequent chapters detail the bioactive components in functional foods responsible for these health benefits, as well as the different formulations of these products and recent innovations spurred by consumer demands. Authors emphasize product development for increased marketability, taking into account safety issues associated with functional food adulteration and solutions to be found in GMP adherence. Various food preservation methods aimed at enhancing the quality and shelf life of functional food are also highlighted. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals: Bioactive Components, Formulations and Innovations is the first of its kind, designed to be useful to students, teachers, nutritionists, food scientists, food technologists and public health regulators alike.