Functional foods:the scientific basis and future trends' A biased personal view

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Functional foodsthe scientific basis and future
trends.A biased personal view!

• Professor Brian McKenna
• Food Science Department
• University College Dublin

IFSTI June 3rd 2004
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Nutraceuticals

• Chemicals found as a natural component of foods
  that have been found to be beneficial to the
  human body in treating disease or improving
  physiological performance
• Examples Essential nutrients if they provide a
  benefit beyond their normal growth and
  maintenance function
• Antioxidant properties of Vitamin C and E

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Functional Food

• A food, either natural or formulated which will
  enhance physiological performance or treat
  diseases/disorders.
• In other words, any food or food ingredient that
  may provide a health benefit beyond the
  traditional nutrients it contains

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Nutraceuticals
Protein amino acid based
Fatty acids Struct. lipids
Microbial
Isoprenoids
Phenolic compounds
Carbohydrate derivitives
Minerals
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Cannot be divorced from marketing preferred
health claims
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Allowed claims

• nutrient content the presence of a specific
  nutrient at a certain level
• structure and function the effect of components
  on the normal structure or function
• dietary guidance the health benefits of broad
  categories of foods
• qualified health a potential relationship
  between components in the food and risk of
  disease (needs scientific evidence)
• Health a relationship between components in the
  diet and risk of disease or health condition
  (approved by FDA plus scientific agreement)

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Functional Foods Potential (US data)

• Medicinal foods 1 billion
• Infant foods 3 billion
• Fish products 8 billion
• Cereal Products 9 billion
• Vitamins, minerals, herbs 12 billion
• Diet drinks 10 billion
• Sports/fortified foods 20 billion
• Yogurt 25 billion

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European predictions

• Less than 1 of food market
• Probiotic milk products
• Fortified beverages (non-alcoholic, Vitamins A,
  C, E)
• Cholesterol lowering spreads/margarines -Becel
  (Europe), Flora (UK), Promise (US)

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The next generation

• Broader nutrient speciality ingredient
  fortification
• Condition specific marketing
• Lifestyle enhancers
• Sports market
• Childrens health
• Gender, age ethnic products

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The next generation (continued)

• Weight, satiety appetite suppression
• Functional snacks
• Natural foods
• Non-traditional food markets
• Drug/medication delivery

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Scientific approach changing

• Trial error product development
• Rational product design

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Consumer questions

• Does it work? firm evidence?
• Is it healthy? scientific evidence?
• How much does it contain?
• What is recommended daily intake?
• Problems with incorporation of same functional
  ingredient into many foods
• Is it safe? Interactions drowsiness allergies
  ?