Functional Foods Growth Series
Learn what consumers look for in functional ingredients, including:
- What value they expect
- How to address potential challenges when formulating
Consumers’ desire to improve their health and well-being through food and beverage products has sparked a search for the ideal functional ingredient mix that will meet their needs. As a result, experts predict that the global market for nutrient-dense foods will grow 5.2% over the next decade1. To ensure global consumers get the nutrients they need, brands have begun to incorporate nutrient-dense ingredients within a range of offerings to increase the perceived value.
For more insight into this trend, we talked to Laurie Colin, Senior Technical Business Development Manager at Blue Diamond Global Ingredients.
What’s driving consumer interest in functional foods/beverages?
Consumers continue to expect more nutrition and health benefits from the food they eat, and are less interested in empty calories that have low nutritional value. They have become better informed about functional foods and now want to be more empowered on the multiple ways in which they can improve their health through the foods they purchase.
However, high-quality, nutritious foods can often come with a higher price tag, causing consumers to heavily evaluate the value of their purchase. Despite the higher costs, consumers are willing to pay more for functional foods as they enable them to meet their nutritional needs and improve their health.
As a result, consumers are looking at various food and beverage categories for functional replacements of their everyday indulgent favorites. Functional snacks or drinks, such as a high protein cookie, granola enhanced with fiber, probiotic non-dairy yogurt, or even a protein-packed smoothie, are all examples of innovative solutions that formulators can produce to meet the high demand for functional foods and beverages.
What types of ingredients are considered functional?
In order to be considered functional, ingredients must provide health-promoting benefits in addition to their nutritive value. Functional ingredients must also qualify as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS).
Functional ingredients could feature benefits such as protein, fiber, probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins, minerals, omega-3 fatty acids, and antioxidants. Besides health benefits, functional ingredients can also improve flavor, texture, mouthfeel, and appearance of foods.
Here is a look at some of the top functional features:
- Protein is naturally found in foods including meat, nuts, legumes, eggs and dairy.
- Dietary fiber performs various roles in the digestive tract and is found in whole grains, nuts, legumes fruits and vegetables.
- Vitamins and minerals found in foods deliver a range of different functions to benefit the body’s growth and health.
- Fatty acids, such as omega-3 and omega-6, as well as mono and polyunsaturated fats.
What benefits are consumers expecting from functional foods?
Health benefits associated with functional ingredients include heart health, energy and sport performance, gut health, immunity, blood glucose control, weight management, improved sleep and brain health. In addition, consumer interest in fiber is experiencing a resurgence largely due to an increased focus on digestive health in association with immune health.
Consumers don’t just want these benefits from traditional “health foods”. Global shoppers are demanding indulgent alternatives that are just as nutritious as they are delicious. From fortified plant-based muffins to protein-rich fruit smoothies, people want to enjoy a guilt-free indulgent treat with added health benefits.
What are the most common challenges when it comes to formulating with functional ingredients?
Consumers are looking for ways to make healthy eating easier, but these healthier options must taste good and must be easily accessible and part of their everyday life. Functional ingredients can add off-flavors, off-colors, reduce the shelf-life of foods, add cost, add complexity to the ingredient label, create regulatory risks, and create sourcing challenges.
It is important to balance function with familiarity and keep a clean label by using recognizable ingredients. Taste is king, and the functional food/beverage must have the desired taste, texture and appearance that consumers expect. Achieving the required amount of functional ingredient to achieve benefit while maintaining the desired flavor and texture characteristics is vital. Also, consumers must understand the value of the functional ingredient(s) and be willing to pay more for these benefits.
How do almonds meet the demand for functional foods/beverages?
Almonds provide functionality with appealing neutral flavors and color. They are great to have on product labels, present low regulatory risks, and are reasonably priced, considering the numerous functional benefits they provide.
Almonds possess nutrients and other beneficial compounds and are considered a “superfood.” They contain plant-based protein, insoluble dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals including riboflavin, magnesium, copper, manganese, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats.
While plant-based ingredients are ideal for formulating innovative, functional foods, such as non-dairy custard, many plant-based proteins often leave consumers with an undesired texture and beany-taste. Almond protein powder, a partially defatted almond protein flour ingredient, provides a deliciously mild taste and a smooth mouthfeel that consumers expect from applications such as custards. Plus, almond protein powder offers the same protein, fiber, and antioxidants found in whole almonds. These attributes not only make for a nutritious product, but also offer a more premium value because of the additional benefits.
If you’re looking for more insight on how to add more value to your functional food innovations, check out our article here. Have any questions for our experts or want to check out our offerings? Contact us, or request a sample today!
References:
1 “Nutrient Dense Food Products Market,” Future Market Insights. 2022.
