Fruits, Nuts & Vegetables

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The new wave of full-spectrum food supplements offers consumers another way to get their fruits and vegetables.

For centuries, blueberries (Vaccinnium) have been touted in folklore and medicine as a valuable functional food.

Prebiotic ingredients stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria. Proper nutrition is essential to maintaining a healthy status, however, Western diets often lack healthful ingredients such as fruit, fiber, and whole grains. A key to maintaining good health includes nurturing the body’s naturally occurring microorganisms for proper digestive-tract function.

Consumed for centuries by other cultures, some exotic herbs and ingredients may qualify for GRAS status.

A dietary ingredient extracted from sugar beets may become the focus of a cost-effective first step therapy for liver disease, and a potential risk reducer for cardiovascular disease.

Although discovered in 1979, the micronutrient pyrroloquinoline quinone (PPQ) has only recently been identified as the first new vitamin isolated in 55 years.

Natural tomato lycopene has received attention recently for its effectiveness in promoting prostate, heart and skin health.

Health issues affecting women include those directly linked to the female reproductive system as well as others like osteoporosis. This review of bioactives will cover ingredients for classic female concerns.

An August 2002 U.S. patent issued to Innovative Foods Inc. provides a method of infusing nutrients such as vitamins, phytochemicals, herbal extracts and medicinals into fruits, vegetables and other underutilized food products.

Consumer awareness of eye-health, along with landmark research supporting supplementation benefits, gives direction for nutritional products companies.