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.
The case for consuming a diet high in fiber long has been established in scientific journals and, consequently, it is an integral part of dietary guidance for Americans. Arguably, however, fiber may have been upstaged or overshadowed by its carbohydrate cousin, whole grains. The whole grains health claim momentum and affiliated new product launches might suggest that the days of fiber as a single major attraction may be over, fading into a background of whole grains and overall product (ingredient) functionality.
Most know that “low-carb” diets are out. With concerns over a higher risk of damaged arteries and heart attacks that could accompany certain low-carb diets, their popularity has waned so much that Atkins Nutritionals Inc. experienced financial difficulty back in mid-2005.
Towards
the end of 2006, Clif Bar introduced Luna Elixir, a product targeting women
that provides a goodly dose of calcium and iron, among other nutrients. The
product is unusual in the advice it gives the user to vary its sweetness by
adding various amounts of water, but not unusual is the fact that it touts the
presence of antioxidants. Indeed, in the year 2006, the Mintel Global New
Product Database (GNPD) recorded some 703 new foods and dietary supplements
that referred to antioxidants. (See the chart “A Profile of Antioxidant Products.”)
This is a 400% increase from five years earlier in 2001, when the GNPD recorded
176 new foods, beverages and dietary supplements mentioning antioxidants.
According to SPINs, a market research and consulting firm for the natural
products industry, the sale of consumer products with carotenoids and/or
antioxidant formulas increased 11% to $90.9 million in 2006 over the previous
year’s sales (data from SPINSscan Natural and Conventional Channels, Natural
Supermarkets (>$2MM) and Conventional FDM, excluding Wal-Mart).
Sugar and spice is not always so nice for the 20.8 million people who have diabetes, about 30% of whom are undiagnosed. Just the right balance of foods in controlled amounts eaten during carefully timed meals and snacks is vital for living well with diabetes. For another 41 million who are pre-diabetic, following the same basic guidelines improves their chances of remaining diabetic-free or delaying its start or severity.
Functional foods may typically increase energy, optimize mental capacity, optimize wellness and prevent disease. However, camouflaging the functional ingredients is important, as many ingredients adversely affect taste, texture and flavor. Functional ingredients may be phytochemicals, zoonutrients, fungochemicals or bacteriochemicals.
Research on the health benefits of eating olives combined with new
manufacturing techniques has resulted in a new product that allows developers
to unleash the advantages of this pitted fruit in other products.
California-based NutriBev Science, an affiliate of Nationwide Beverage Bottling Inc., has announced the launch of great tasting sports drinks containing PeptoPro®, the award-winning protein hydrolysate from DSM Food Specialties. RAD™ Endurance and RAD™
Although the low-carb craze has subsided, it has changed the way many think about their diets. Bread and other carbohydrate-based foods no longer are enjoyed with the abandon of the
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