Functional Foods

Recent technological advancements, socio-economic trends, and population lifestyle modifications throughout the world indicate the need for foods with increased health benefits. The clear relationship between the food that we eat and our well-being is widely recognized. Today, foods are not only intended to satisfy hunger and provide necessary nutrients: they can also confer additional health benefits, such as preventing nutrition-related diseases and improving physical and mental well-being. This book provides a comprehensive overview of developments in the field of functional foods and food supplements. Readers will discover new food matrices as innovative natural sources of bioactive compounds endowed with health-promoting properties. Studies on chemical, technological, and nutritional characteristics of healthy food ingredients, analytical methods for monitoring their quality, and innovative formulation strategies are included.

The first edition of Functional foods: Concept to product quickly established itself as an authoritative and wide-ranging guide to the functional foods area. There has been a remarkable amount of research into health-promoting foods in recent years and the market for these types of products has also developed. Thoroughly revised and updated, this major new edition contains over ten additional chapters on significant topics including omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, consumers and health claims and functional foods for obesity prevention. Part one provides an overview of key general issues including definitions of functional foods and legislation in the EU, the US and Asia. Part two focuses on functional foods and health investigating conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity and infectious diseases as well as and the impact of functional foods on cognition and bone health. Part three looks at the development of functional food products. Topics covered include maximising the functional benefits of plant foods, dietary fibre, functional dairy and soy products, probiotics and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). With its distinguished editors and international team of expert contributors, Functional foods: Concept to product is a valuable reference tool for health professionals and scientists in the functional foods industry and to students and researchers interested in functional foods. Provides an overview of key general issues including definitions of functional foods and legislation in the EU, the US and Asia Focuses on functional foods and health investigating conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, obesity and infectious diseases Examines the development of functional food products featuring maximising the functional benefits of plant foods, dietary fibre, functional dairy and soy products

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.

Functional foods - products which have health-promoting properties over and beyond their nutritional value - have become a significant food industry sector. The global market for these products remains dynamic and is predicted to grow further. Functional foods: Principles and technology provides both students and professionals with an authoritative introduction to the key scientific aspects and major product categories in this area. The opening chapter introduces the principles of functional foods and explores industry and consumer roles in this evolving market. Subsequent chapters focus on the most significant product categories, reviewing ingredient sources, classification, chemical and physical properties, the wide range of therapeutic effects and possible mechanisms of action, among other topics. Antioxidants, dietary fiber, prebiotics and probiotics, lipids and soy are among the foods and food constituents covered. The Appendix contains laboratory exercises aimed at those using this book in a classroom situation. Functional foods: principles and technology is an essential guide for all those studying and working with functional foods. Provides both students and professionals with an authoritative introduction to the key scientific aspects and major product categories Introduces the principles of functional foods and explores industry and consumer roles in this evolving market Focuses on the most significant product categories, reviewing ingredient sources, classification, chemical and physical properties

Nutrition and Functional Foods for Healthy Aging aims to equip anyone studying geriatric nutrition or working with aging adults with the latest scientific reviews of critical topics. The major objective of this book is to review, in detail, the health problems of the aged and how normal food, lifestyle, or nutritional and dietary supplements can help treat them. Nutrient requirements for optimum health and function of aging physiological systems are often quite distinct from those required for young people. The special nutrition problems of the aged are intensively researched and tested, especially as the elderly become a larger percentage of the population. Many chronic diseases and cancers are found with higher frequency in the aged, and it is also widely known that many elderly people use foods and nutrients well above the recommended daily allowance, which can be detrimental to optimal health. Explains the evidence supporting nutritional interventions relevant to age-related diseases Reviews the macro- and micro-nutrient requirements of aging adults and their variables Describes how alcohol, drugs, and caffeine can impact deficiencies, also exploring functional food and dietary supplements that can be used for prevention and treatment

The breakdown of food structures in the gastrointestinal tract has a major impact on the sensory properties and nutritional quality of foods. Advances in understanding the relationship between food structure and the breakdown, digestion and transport of food components within the GI tract facilitate the successful design of health-promoting foods. This important collection reviews key issues in these areas. Opening chapters in Part one examine oral physiology and gut microbial ecology. Subsequent chapters focus on the digestion, absorption and physiological effects of significant food components, such as lipids, proteins and vitamins. Part two then reviews advances in methods to study food sensory perception, digestion and absorption, including in vitro simulation of the stomach and intestines and the use of stable isotopes to determine mineral bioavailability. The implications for the design of functional foods are considered in Part three. Controlling lipid bioavailability using emulsion-based delivery systems, designing foods to induce satiation and self-assembling structures in the GI tract are among the topics covered. With contributions from leading figures in industry and academia, Designing functional foods provides those developing health-promoting products with a broad overview of the wealth of current knowledge in this area and its present and future applications. Reviews digestion and absorption of food components including oral physiology and gut microbial ecology Evaluates advances in methods to study food sensory perception assessing criteria such as simulation of flavour released from foods Investigates the implications for the design of functional foods including optimising the flavour of low-fat foods and controlling the release of glucose

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.

Providing overview, depth, and expertise, Essentials of Functional Foods is the key resource for all involved in the exciting and rapidly growing arena of functional foods. Every important aspect of functional foods and ingredients is covered, from technology, product groups, and nutrition, to safety, efficacy, and regulation. The editors and their expert contributors emphasize broadly based principles that apply to many functional foods. This book is essential reading for food scientists, researchers, and professionals who are developing, researching, or working with functional foods and ingredients in the food, drug, and dietary supplement industry.