As the Brisbane Ekka (Royal Queensland Show) is about to start, I am quite proud of my Australian primary industries and our people who work in the food and agricultural industry. As part of the livestock, exhibitors and competitions my favourite part of course is the food. This is one opportunity for companies and growers to showcase organic, functional foods and ingredients and I am looking forward to being apart of it all. But what is functional foods?
I have recently found that food and nutrition science has advanced from identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies to designing foods that promote optimal health and reduce the risk of disease. The term “functional food” has evolved into a category of a wide variety of foods and food components believed to improve overall health and well-being, reduce the risk of specific diseases, or minimize the effects of other health concerns.
So besides from the strawberry ice creams and Dagwood dogs why do we need functional foods as well?
- Because we are getting fat. Overweight. Obese. A little tubby.
- Because we are by definition an aging population with an increasing reliant on costly medical services to treat chronic health conditions.
- Because we are lazy, don’t cook, and join gyms that we don’t go to.
People complain that they can’t start a healthier lifestyle because:
- I can’t be bothered (MOTIVATION)
- Will it make a difference (EDUCATION)
- How easy it is to access this food (AVAILABILITY)
Although we have an overabundance of food choices many popular food choices are unhealthy and dysfunctional. The steady increase of demand for functional foods includes the following trends in mood formulations targeting, beauty within, mood food, digestive health, libido, weight management, cognitive function, and energy and joint health.
Overall PEOPLE WANT WELLNESS and healthier foods are an integral part of the solution. We need nutritious foods with functionality meeting the requirements of individuals at different life stages from birth, teenagers, adulthood and aging. Consumer interest in functional foods is related to health, performance and perceived wellness. The largest functional food categories are ones that are not considered therapeutic, but rather preventative or wellness-oriented.
Isagenix is positioned like no other company to provide long-term health and wealth solutions that address significant global issues like obesity, aging and financial stress. Isagenix is cutting edge of the trends as they offer you solutions for weight loss, energy and performance, and youthful aging. Isagenix is not a diet but a functional food. Isagenix has products we want (Motivation), is scientifically and community supported (education) and you can buy Isagenix products at wholesale direct to your door (availability).
