Kanitha Tananuwong
Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University
Functional foods are foods and beverages that provide health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients they contain. Examples of foods in this category include fruit juices fortified with antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C and E), yoghurt with prebiotics and/or probiotics, and cereal-based foods containing high fiber. Regular consumption of functional foods may reduce the risk of specific diseases including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, immune and brain dysfunction, as well as cancer. Therefore, functional foods are gaining more interest from consumers. Varieties of these foods have been introduced to the global market.
This presentation will provide updated information regarding domestic and global trends in functional food products. Examples of unique functional food products launched globally during 2011-2012 will also be presented and discussed.
(Presented in the 2012 Asian Food Heritage Forum: Harmonizing Culture , Technology and Industry, 20-21 August 2012, Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok, organized by Institute of Thai Studies, Institute of Asian Studies, Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts, Chulalongkorn University, Chinese Dietary Culture Institute, Zhejiang Gongshang University, and Ministry of Culture, Thailand)