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Dark chocolate may prevent heart disease.

Consumer perceptions of dairy foods have always been favorable, invoking visions of healthy bones and nutrient-rich, homey products.

Sodium is a concern for both U.S. and global consumers. 

An abbreviated version of the podcast, "A Strategy to Reduce Sodium in Processed Foods," from PreparedFoods.com.

Beneficial heart-healthy ingredients include dietary fiber, omega-3s and certain oils, phytosterols and soy protein.

An overview of salt’s technical functions and impact on human sensory perception is provided, along with suggestions for salt-reduction strategies.

The nutritional lipids arena continues to be dominated by the omegas. Within the family, product developers are looking at the benefits provided by docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from marine sources and those of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) from plant sources. While cost often governs why a specific ingredient is chosen for certain applications, nutritional attributes also play a role. The following summarizes recent related published research in scientific literature that supports benefits provided by each category of omega-3s, followed by new product activity and trends in the marketplace.

Plant sterols are fat-like substances that occur naturally in many vegetables and fruits. They have been found to have the ability to lower LDL, or “bad” cholesterol, while not affecting the levels of the HDL or “good” cholesterol in the body.

Women have many health issues they wish to address, such as heart health, hormone replacement therapy, increasing fiber consumption and bone loss. Food ingredients such as soy, isoflavones, calcium and vitamins help fit the bill.

The diet du jour has changed often as of late, but science has shed light on the Portfolio Eating Plan, which challenges current thoughts on nutritive and supplemental dietary ingredients and recommends antioxidants, omega-3s, soluble fiber, almonds and other ingredients.