We choose what we eat for a variety of reasons: taste, convenience, cost, and health concerns. Food manufacturers capitalize on consumers’ desire for healthy foods by adding ingredients that are marketed to help protect our immune system, improve mood, and increase energy levels.

According to a market analysis report, these added ingredients, known as functional ingredients, are expected to grow by 6.4% annually over the next seven years. While whole foods like fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are essential for good health, today’s consumers are shifting toward fortified convenience foods and beverages that contain functional ingredients. 

Three popular functional ingredients you’ll find in various foods and beverages are turmeric, collagen, and green coffee extract.

Let’s talk about turmeric…

Tumeric is a plant native to Southeast Asia, primarily India, where it is used as both a spice and also traditional medicine for skin disorders, joints, digestion, and upper respiratory tract issues. Curcumin is the primary component of turmeric that provides both the yellow color and the health benefits.

Snacks with turmeric or curcumin in the ingredient list accounted for 9% of all new turmeric product launches in both 2015 and 2019. Frozen breakfasts, microwaveable meals, and tea/juices are other popular foods to which food manufacturers add turmeric in order to boost consumer appeal.

Research shows that curcumin may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. There’s also some research that shows curcumin may help improve memory and mood by modulating serotonin and dopamine production. However, the amount of turmeric or curcumin used as a functional ingredient is typically much smaller than the dose used in research studies so there is no way of knowing if there is any health benefit.

References:

1. Institute of Food Technologists. 411 on Functional Foods. https://www.ift.org/career-development/learn-about-food-science/food-facts/food-facts-food-health-and-nutrition/the-411-on-functional-foods published 2.13.21; accessed 3.28.23

2. Nutritional Outlook. Which are tumeric’s biggest product opportunities? https://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/view/which-are-turmeric-s-biggest-product-opportunities  Mike Strauss, 10.21.20. Accessed 3.28.23

3. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Tumeric. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric#:~:text=Curcumin%20is%20a%20major%20component,contain%20a%20mixture%20of%20curcuminoids. Last updated May 2020. Accessed 3.28.23

4. Paulo E.S. Munekata, Mirian Pateiro, Wangang Zhang, Ruben Dominguez, Lujuan Xing, Elena Movilla Fierro, Jose M. Lorenzo, Health benefits, extraction and development of functional foods with curcuminoids, Journal of Functional Foods, Volume 79, 2021.

5. Food Navigator USA. Collagen gains popularity in functional foods, especially bars, sports nutrition, and beverage powder. https://www.foodnavigator-usa.com/Article/2020/06/30/Collagen-gains-popularity-in-functional-foods-especially-bars-sports-nutrition-beverage-powders  Elizabeth Crawford, last updated 6.30.20; accessed 3.28.23

6. Khatri M, Naughton RJ, Clifford T, Harper LD, Corr L. The effects of collagen peptide supplementation on body composition, collagen synthesis, and recovery from joint injury and exercise: a systematic review. Amino Acids. 2021;53(10):1493-1506. doi:10.1007/s00726-021-03072-x 

7. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source. Coffee. https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/food-features/coffee  last reviewed July 2020. Accessed 3.28.23

8. Nutraingredients Europe. Researchers explore the functional benefits of green coffee beans. https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2015/03/30/Researchers-explore-the-functional-potential-of-green-coffee-beans Nathan Gray, last updated 4.20.15; accessed 3.28.23

9. National Library of Medicine. MedLine Plus. Green Coffee. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/1264.html last reviewed 8.29.22; accessed 3.28.23

10. Asbaghi O, Sadeghian M, Nasiri M, et al. The effects of green coffee extract supplementation on glycemic indices and lipid profile in adults: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of clinical trials. Nutr J. 2020;19(1):71. Published 2020 Jul 14. doi:10.1186/s12937-020-00587-z https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7983441/ 

11. Nutraceuticals World. CGA-7 Green Coffee Extract by Vidya Herbs Achieves Self-Affirmed GRAS Status

12. https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2021-04-09/cga-7-green-coffee-extract-by-vidya-herbs-achieves-self-affirmed-gras-status/ Mike Montemarano, Associate Editor 04.09.21; accessed 3.29.23

13. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) https://www.fda.gov/food/food-ingredients-packaging/generally-recognized-safe-gras current as of 12.20.22; accessed 3.29.23