Functional foods help prevent or control various chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis or high blood pressure, as well as cardiovascular diseases.
However, it should be noted that food is not a substitute for medication or medical treatment, but can be used as a supplement to improve quality of life.
Heart-healthy diet
A heart-healthy diet involves reducing or avoiding foods that can be harmful to the heart , such as saturated and trans fats, sugar and excess salt.
In this regard, it is advisable to include nutrient-rich foods such as fruits, fish, legumes and vegetables, to prevent or treat different risk factors for heart disease.
Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics
Probiotics are live microorganisms present in hong kong phone data different foods that, when consumed , provide numerous benefits to digestive health , improving the balance of bacteria in the intestine.
Among the probiotic foods we can mention:
Yogurt is one of the best known for its nutritional properties.
Kefir is a fermented drink containing various bacteria and yeasts.
Sauerkraut is made by fermenting cabbage leaves.
Miso is a fermented paste made from soybeans, rice, or barley.
Some cheeses may contain these good bacteria.
Taking these and other probiotics strengthens the immune system, increases the absorption of nutrients such as vitamin B, calcium and iron, and also helps prevent constipation, diarrhea and certain allergies.
On the other hand, prebiotics are non-digestible fibers, which act as food for probiotics , promoting the growth of bacteria and favoring intestinal transit. Some foods rich in prebiotics are:
Garlic and onion contain fructooligosaccharides that stimulate the growth of bacteria in the intestine.
Asparagus has inulin, a type of dietary fiber .
Lentils and chickpeas are rich in oligosaccharides.
Whole grains contain soluble fiber.
Green bananas have resistant starch.
When we talk about symbiotics we refer to foods that include probiotics and prebiotics in their composition , that is, their combination allows for enhanced benefits for the body.
Trends in food marketing
As we have seen, in order to take care of our health, it is vital to follow a healthy eating plan and limit the consumption of products that can increase the risk of disease. On the other hand, marketing trends related to new foods are constantly changing, given that consumers are increasingly interested in healthy foods.
We present you some of the emerging trends:
Being transparent in providing information about products is more likely to generate trust among consumers.
Customize food through specific menus for individual diets.
Promote sustainability by showing a commitment to caring for the environment.
Adapt and use technologies to offer consumers new purchasing options.
To learn more about this topic, you can consult different sources of information, such as the European Regulation on novel foods , which establishes the conditions and requirements that food products considered innovative on the market must meet.
If you are interested in learning more about this field, we recommend our free, comprehensive online course Health and Functional Foods .