Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Functional foods are defined as foods or nutrients contained in foods that are rich in active compounds or active vitamins and minerals. Active ingredients, or active functions of vitamins and minerals in functional foods, provide health benefits in order to promote human body systems. Functional foods can be classified according to their physiological effects, i.e., functional foods promote the digestive and absorption system, immune system, cardiovascular system, cognition and neurological system, anti-aging, antioxidants, and cancer prevention. Nowadays, many functional food products are available for sale in the market, such as probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fiber-fortified beverage products, cereal products, drinks that are fortified with antioxidants or multivitamins and minerals, particularly selenium and manganese, drinks fortified with berry extracts, milk products, and ready-to-drink yogurt that is fortified with probiotics and plant sterols, etc. In Thailand, there are functional foods available on the general market, and the market trend will continue to increase. However, market share continues to grow around the world, including in Asia, America, and Europe. Functional foods are also popular among health-conscious consumers. Moreover, regular consumption of these functional foods also reduces the rate of illnesses requiring hospital admission. Therefore, it can be stated that functional food is the food of the 21st century.
Authors: Chatree, Yaiprae, Chatree, Saimai
Language: Thai
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220165670