Food Technology Magazine | Issues and Insights
The Functional Chocolate Company’s bars are formulated with botanical ingredients that research has linked to wellness benefits, but the company emphasizes that it does not make specific health benefit claims. Photo courtesy of The Functional Chocolate Company
Today’s eaters are looking for more than basic nutrition. And instead of reaching for a supplement to optimize health and reduce the risk of disease, they are instead seeking new food products formulated with functional ingredients. Functional foods, loosely defined as foods or beverages with the power to beneficially affect one or more target functions in the body to improve health and well-being, are not a new phenomenon—food companies have been fortifying a variety of products with vitamins a…
In this column, the authors explore emerging research on how probiotics influence health beyond digestion—examining their potential roles in mental health, cardiovascular function, metabolism, immune response, cancer therapy, and skin health—while emphasizing the need for standardized studies to translate these findings into practical applications.
With consumers increasingly looking for enhanced nutrition, the functional foods market must find a way to balance the addition of in-demand ingredients with minimal processing.
In this column, the authors explore emerging research on how probiotics influence health beyond digestion—examining their potential roles in mental health, cardiovascular function, metabolism, immune response, cancer therapy, and skin health—while emphasizing the need for standardized studies to translate these findings into practical applications.
With consumers increasingly looking for enhanced nutrition, the functional foods market must find a way to balance the addition of in-demand ingredients with minimal processing.
Get the latest insights from the food science and technology community in the December 2025 episodes of the Omnivore podcast.