Functional food awareness and perceptions in relation to information sources in older adults.

Background: The functional food industry has experienced innovative and economic expansion, yet research into consumer perceptions of functional foods and their associated health claims is limited. Among consumers, older adults could benefit from functional foods due to age-related issues pertaining to food and health. The purpose of this research was to identify the need for information related to functional foods among older adults (≥60 years old) and to assess awareness and perceptions of health claims on functional food packages.

Translating knowledge into dietetic practice: a Functional Foods for Healthy Aging Toolkit.

The advance of functional foods has evolved because of research linking functional foods to health, a regulatory environment that allows health claims on foods, and consumer demand for health-promoting food products. Among consumers, the rapidly growing older adult segment is poised to benefit from functional foods because of age-related health issues that are linked to food and health. Registered Dietitians (RDs) are recognized as food and nutrition experts and are well positioned to communicate the benefits of functional foods.

Exploration of functional food consumption in older adults in relation to food matrices, bioactive ingredients, and health.

The functional food industry is expanding, yet research into consumer perceptions of functional foods is limited. Older adults could benefit from functional foods due to age-related food and health issues. This research gathered information about functional foods from community-dwelling older adults (n = 200) who completed a researcher-administered questionnaire about consumption, food matrices, bioactive ingredients, and health areas addressed through functional foods.