Functional food in the German market

In a world where awareness of healthy eating is constantly growing, the term "functional food" is becoming increasingly important. But what exactly is behind this trend? What is the difference to dietary supplements or superfoods? And how can you as a manufacturer develop foods and drinks with additional health properties? Let's take a closer look. 

Eating a healthy diet is no longer just a basic need, but rather an expression of a lifestyle and an inner conviction. Consumers today are very well informed. They know that a balanced diet has a direct impact on their health. They pay particular attention to a healthy intestinal flora, a strengthened immune system and mental fitness. This is also reflected in an increased awareness of healthy ingredients such as vitamins, high-quality fats, fibre and antioxidants. Of course, it is also important to consumers that the products taste delicious, are filling, look appealing and are easy to prepare. 

Functional foods are foods that go beyond their basic nutritional properties and are specifically enriched with additional:

The aim is to meet the needs of the consumers in terms of health and lifestyle. At a time when many people find it difficult to eat a healthy and balanced diet, functional food is becoming increasingly important. It offers consumers the opportunity to integrate important nutrients for various health & lifestyle goals into their diet in a simple and tasty way.    

With functional food, important nutrients are integrated into food and drink products, while food supplements in the form of capsules, tablets, sticks or functional gummies, for example, provide isolated nutrients. Food supplements can be beneficial for people who have an increased need for nutrients under certain conditions or whose diet does not adequately cover this. This includes, for example:

However, these supplements are not a substitute for a balanced diet and should always be taken in consultation with a doctor.

Functional food products aim to provide holistic support by not only providing isolated nutrients, but also containing fibre, protein or carbohydrates. Functional food therefore offers a practical and tasty way of integrating added health value into the daily diet.  

Above all, consumers want products that not only taste delicious, but also offer added health benefits. The success of products such as protein puddings and plant-based alternatives demonstrates the growing demand for healthy and sustainable foods. More and more manufacturers are increasingly focussing on a combination of healthy, functional and sustainable raw materials in order to meet rising consumer expectations and offer high-quality products. 

One example of functional food in the beverage sector is the "Functional Water" from IMCD Food & Nutrition. The team of technical experts has developed these refreshing sports drinks in the Cologne Food & Nutrition laboratory, which specifically cater to the special needs before and after sport. The "Booster" and "Regeneration" flavours and botanicals are perfectly coordinated to provide athletes with the optimum supply of vitamins, amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids. The carefully selected Lemon-Lime and White Peach flavours give the sports drinks a refreshingly fruity note and make it easier for consumers to drink the daily recommended amount while absorbing important nutrients. The customised beverage concept thus picks up on current consumer trends.  

Discover the comprehensive portfolio for a variety of health solutions that meet consumer needs and lifestyle trends. Through a close partnership with dsm-firmenich , a global leader in health, nutrition and bio-science, we offer our customers access to an extensive Health & Lifestyle Solutions portfolio. In addition to enzymes and various hydrocolloids, our portfolio includes all 13 fat- and water-soluble vitamins and premixes, carotenoids, digestive enzymes, fish- and plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, a high-quality protein isolate, other hydrocolloids and vegan cultures. The Health and Lifestyle Solutions portfolio offers a wide range of possible applications, for example in plant-based products, baked goods, beverages, in the nutrition sector or even in confectionery and fruit processing. The ingredients can be used to significantly improve the colour, texture, taste and health properties of food and beverages. 

In our application laboratory for Food & Nutrition in Cologne, we support our customers with technical expertise and innovative ideas. We help to overcome the many challenges in terms of taste and texture that can occur when enriching with nutrients. Our partner Givaudan's portfolio offers a wide range of solutions, including botanical extracts to enhance product functionality and various flavours for tailor-made taste compositions. Carotenoids as secondary plant substances can be used, for example, to naturally colour products, while antioxidants improve shelf life and protect against oxidation. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for well-being, the immune system and heart and eye health. In addition to the fish-based version, we also offer plant-based omega-3 fatty acids for vegetarian products. Our primary goal is to develop high-quality solutions for healthier foods without compromising on taste and enjoyment.  

We support manufacturers with customised nutrient mixtures for their products. Many raw materials from our portfolio can be combined for customised formulations. For example, products can be enriched with vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids, the colour can be determined with carotenoids and stability can be ensured by adding antioxidants. The health profile of food and beverage innovations can be customised in this way. This flexibility enables manufacturers to tap into new market segments and gain a real competitive advantage. 

Application Technologist 

After studying food technology at Bremerhaven University of Applied Sciences and gaining more than 15 years of experience in the food industry, Katja has been working as an application technologist in our laboratory since 2016. Inspired by the ever-changing trends in the market, she loves to implement these trends in our IMCD concepts and to inspire and technically support our customers.