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Functional Foods

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Functional Foods

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2010 FP7 cooperation - Food 24194 EN
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Functional Foods
Table of Contents
Abbreviations 5
Preface 6
What are functional foods? 7
Problems with definitions
Can any food be functional?
Working definition
Why functional foods?
Awareness of links between food and health increases
Changes in lifestyle and the increase of chronic diseases

Health benefits of functional foods 9

The challenges
Early development and growth
Mother’s diet
Diet of children and adolescents
Immune function
Gastrointestinal health
Mental health
Health and well-being in ageing
Physical performance
Obesity
Cardiovascular disease
Improving the lipid profile of the diet
Other diet components
Diabetes mellitus
Musculoskeletal disease
Bone health

How to assess the scientific evidence for functional foods 15

Importance of markers
Potential of nutrigenomics
How should claims be substantiated? What role have EC funded projects played ?

Research challenges for functional foods 17

Appendix 1 EC projects involving aspects related to functional foods 18

4
Abbreviations

BSSL bile salt stimulated lipase

EU European Union

EC European Commission

FP5, FP6 and FP7 Framework Programme 5, 6 and 7

FMD flow mediated dilatation

FUFOSE Functional Food Science in Europe

GI gastrointestinal

HDL high density lipoprotein

LCPUFA(s) long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)

LDL low density lipoprotein

MSM methylsulfonylmethane

NSAIDs non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

n-3 omega 3
n-6 omega 6

PUFA(s) polyunsaturated fatty acid(s)

SAMe S-adenosylmethionine

SME(s) small and medium enterprise(s)

5
Preface

Consumer interest in healthy eating is shifting towards the potential health benefits of specific
foods and food ingredients. Moreover, scientific evidence supports the idea that some of these
might have positive effects on our health and well-being, beyond the provision of basic nutritional
requirements.
Research, including several projects funded by the European Commission (EC), has led to the
identification and understanding of the potential mechanisms of biologically active components
in food, which could improve health and possibly reduce the risk of disease while enhancing
our overall well-being. This has led to the concept of functional foods that might deliver such
benefits.
New promising technologies such as nutrigenomics, imaging techniques, converging technologies
are increasingly being used in nutrition research. Their huge potential will be apparent in the short
and medium term; this will further enable the development of foods for targeted population groups
with defined risk factors or diseases such as allergy, diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease
(CVD). Even more innovative is the possibility of merging information about the physiological
responses to food with individual genetic information to design personalised food and diets.
The ingenuity of food technology might also contribute to further advances in the development
of food products that can support optimum health. The Seventh Framework Programme (FP7)
offers many future opportunities here.
A total of 47 projects have been funded in FP5, FP6 and FP7 that address health benefits of
functional foods in various areas such as obesity, diabetes, allergy, osteoporosis, mental health,
cancer and CVD. These projects represent a European Union (EU) contribution of 150 million euros
and involve 513 partners from research institutes, academia, industry and small and medium
enterprises (SMEs). Most of the projects have their own website that can be easily accessed for
further information.
This brochure gives an overview of the projects financed under FP5 within the Key Action “Food,
Nutrition and Health” of the “Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources” programme,
under FP6 within the “Food Quality and Safety” priority and under FP7 within the “Food,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Biotechnology Theme”. The focus is not on individual success stories,
but rather on the approach of a programme and its instruments to contribute to achieving the
aims of the European Research Area.

DG Research
Unit E.3: Food, Health, Well-being
Directorate E: Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, and Biotechnology

6
What are functional foods?

Problems with definitions

Can any food be functional?

Many definitions exist worldwide for functional foods, but there is no official, or commonly accepted
definition.
One view is that any food is indeed functional because it provides nutrients and has a physiological effect.
So, functional food should be considered a marketing term for a food whose attraction lies in its health
claims and the way the product is perceived. Some even believe that, any food, if marketed appropriately,
particularly with an accompanying health claim, is a functional food.

Some foods considered to be functional are actually natural whole foods where new scientific information
about their health qualities can be used to proclaim benefits. Many, if not most, fruits, vegetables, grains,
fish, and dairy and meat products contain several natural components that deliver benefits beyond basic
nutrition. Examples include lycopene in tomatoes, omega n-3 fatty acids in salmon or saponins in soy. Even
tea and chocolate have been noted in some studies as possessing functional attributes, i.e. attributes beyond
the provision of traditional nutrients.

Others think that only fortified, enriched or enhanced foods with a component having a health benefit beyond
basic nutrition should be considered as functional. Most definitions also suggest that a functional food should
be, or look like, a traditional food and must be part of our normal diet. A functional food can be targeted at the
whole population or at particular groups, which may be defined, for example, by age or genetic constitution.

Working definition

The EC Concerted Action on Functional Food Science in Europe (FUFOSE) proposed a working definition of
functional food:
a food that beneficially affects one or more target functions in the body beyond adequate nutritional effects
in a way that is relevant to either an improved state of health and well-being and/or reduction of risk of
disease. It is consumed as part of a normal food pattern. It is not a pill, a capsule or any form of dietary
supplement.

While there is increased awareness of the links between diet and disease such as certain fats and CVD,
calcium and osteoporosis, fibre and gastrointestinal (GI) health, it is important, for a functional food, to identify
the specific food constituents that could promote health and well-being as well as the exact conditions
where they can have this beneficial effect. Practical examples of a functional food:
• a natural food such as fruit or grain which may or may not be modified by plant breeding or other
technologies (e.g. lycopene-enhanced tomatoes, vitamin E-enriched vegetable oils, vitamin A-enriched
rice);
• a food to which a component has been added (e.g. a spread with added phytosterols);
• a food from which a component has been removed or reduced (e.g. a yogurt with reduced fat);
• a food in which one, or several components, have been modified, replaced or enhanced to improve its health
properties (e.g. a juice drink with enhanced antioxidant content, a yogurt with added prebiotic or probiotic).

7
Why functional foods?
The drive to develop functional foods has arisen from the growing interest in the relationship between diet,
specific food ingredients and health. Healthy eating can make a key contribution to health and well-being,
but busy consumers may not have the time to access their optimal diet. Functional foods can provide health
enhancing ingredients in a convenient form.

Awareness of links between food and health increases

Interest in the relationship between diet, health and well-being has grown substantially in Europe, as in
the rest of the developed world. Most of us know about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including diet
and its role in reducing our risk of illness and disease. Alongside growing affluence across Europe, this
knowledge has allowed easier access to a safer, more varied diet, all of which should ensure longevity.

Changes in lifestyle and the increase of chronic diseases

Increased affluence and urbanisation is also linked to a lifestyle where our daily routine requires less physical
activity and there is greater access to foods with higher energy densities. We now have a real challenge to
balance energy intake and expenditure as more of us are becoming overweight. In 2008, across the 27
countries of the EU, 59 % of adult men and 48 % of adult women were either overweight or obese.2
For much of its history, nutrition science has focused on the role of essential nutrients in preventing
deficiencies. However, there is now a need to ensure unaltered levels of key nutrients or functional
components in the context of declining energy expenditures.
Further, the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as CVD, high blood pressure and type 2
diabetes has increased, leading to concerns about escalating costs of healthcare and reduced quality of life.
Modern lifestyles and longer life are also linked to various mental health problems such as depression, poor
concentration and loss of memory.

1. International Association for the Study of Obesity (IASO). Overweight and obesity in the EU 27.
Available: http://www.iotf.org/database/documents/v2PDFforwebsiteEU27.pdf. Accessed 4 October 2009.

8
Health benefits of
functional foods

The challenges
There is a strong body of science underpinning health benefits
from foods. Our challenge, therefore, is to develop effective
synergies between science and food product development
for the benefit of the consumer. Aspects of health linked with
some of the most developed aspects of nutrition science
include:
• better early development and growth;
• health maintenance (e.g. immune function, gastrointestinal
health, mental health, health in ageing, physical performance);
• reduced risk of obesity;
• reduced risk of chronic diet-related diseases (e.g.
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic
disease, musculoskeletal disease). EARNEST
The Early Nutrition Programming
Project is looking at the long-term
Early development and growth consequences of early nutrition
programming on later obesity and
Mother’s diet cardiovascular risk.

Nutrition during pregnancy and lactation can influence the Understanding of the importance
of early nutrition and the extent
short and long-term development of the child. It might even to which this is taken into account
be linked to the development of conditions such as high blood in infant feeding is also being
pressure, heart disease and diabetes in later life. investigated. The overall aim is to
More specifically, the course of pregnancy and childbirth improve understanding of the extent
to which nutritional influences in
and the composition of breast milk can be influenced by
early life can programme a person’s
energy and protein intake as well as nutrients such as n-3 development and metabolism in
and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), amino acids and adulthood. Two studies are looking
micronutrients including folic acid, iron, zinc and iodine. Such at possibilities for new functional
nutrients may be useful as ingredients in functional foods. ingredients in infant formulae:
The first is a long-term study to
Diet of children and adolescents determine the effect of functional
prebiotics, more specifically of
Diet during childhood and adolescence may have effects on inulin-type fructans, on the incidence
of infections and other immune
some cognitive abilities as well as behaviour. Sensory, including
parameters (early development
visual, functions may also be influenced by early nutrition, of the immune system) in infants.
particularly by n-3 and n-6 PUFAs and trace minerals such as The addition of recombinant
iron, zinc and iodine. human bile salt stimulated lipase
Skeletal development during adolescence can be influenced (BSSL) to infant formulae offers
the possibility of enhancing long
by calcium, vitamins D and K and fluoride as well as prebiotic
chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
fructans, all of which could offer possibilities as ingredients in (LCPUFAs) bioavailability to produce
functional foods. long-term health benefits and this is
Gastrointestinal growth during the early years may be being tested in another study within
influenced by food ingredients such as probiotics and also this EU funded project.
prebiotics, such as oligosaccharides and inulin.

9
Immune function
TORNADO
Immune function throughout life can be influenced by nutrition. The project (Molecular Targets Open
Possible ingredients for the development of functional foods for Regulation by the gut flora –
that could contribute to optimal immune response include the New Avenues for improved Diet
antioxidant vitamins, trace elements (e.g. zinc, copper and to Optimize European health) is
looking at the influence of diet on
manganese), n-3 and n-6 PUFAs, l-arginine, nucleotides and
the impact of gut flora and specific
nucleosides, probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics. groups of micro-organisms on the
immune system and their interaction
with other organ systems. The
project will allow the design of
future functional foods for specific
population groups of different ages
in different geographical areas.

Gastrointestinal health PROEUHEALTH

The GI tract is an obvious target for the development of func- The cluster aimed to evaluate the
tional foods because it acts as an interface between the diet role of probiotic bacteria in our GI
and all other metabolic functions. GI function depends on an health and overall well-being and
appropriate balance of healthy bacteria to prevent the invasion to improve understanding of the
role of intestinal bacteria in human
of harmful bacteria.
health and disease. Development of
One of the most promising areas for the development of new functional foods incorporating
functional foods lies in the use of ingredients to modify the probiotics could help to improve gut
composition and metabolic activity of the gut microflora: health in ways that are beyond the
provision of basic nutrition.
• probiotics;
• prebiotics;
• synbiotics (mixtures of probiotics and prebiotics).

Potential health benefits of probiotics include:

• reduced incidence or severity of GI infections;
• alleviation of lactose intolerance;
• overall improvement in gut function, including reduction
in constipation as well as diarrhoea.
Prebiotics, non-digestible food components that can stimulate
growth and/or modify the metabolic activity of specific bacterial
species already present in the gut, might also improve gut
health. They are also being evaluated for beneficial effects on
the immune system and the potential to reduce risk of colon
cancer. Their ability to increase production of short chain fatty
acids in the colon is associated with increased absorption of
minerals such as calcium and magnesium.
Dairy products, table spreads, baked goods and breads,
breakfast cereals and bars, salad dressings, meat products
and some confectionery items are all foods which do or might
contain prebiotics.

10
Mental health
NUTRIMENTHE
Some functional foods could potentially promote optimal The project will quantify effects
mental state and mental performance and influence behaviour. of early nutrition programming on
later cognitive and mental disorders
They may influence:
as well as the influence of food
• cognitive performance; on mental state and aspects of
• mood and vitality; mental performance such as
mood, attention, motivation,
• reaction to stress; effort, perception, memory and
• short-term memory; intelligence. The effects of food
on mental illness will also be
• vigilance and attention;
studied. Outcomes could have
• changes in memory and other mental processes during major implications for public
ageing. health and policy development,
and for understanding of human
biology, as well as for food product
Glucose may have a beneficial influence on aspects of mental development, economic progress,
performance, including memory and decision time. Sucrose and future wealth creation.
may reduce pain perception. Caffeine can lead to improvement
in cognitive performance with effects on reaction time,
vigilance, memory and psychomotor performance. Cognitive
performance and maintenance of mental health in older people
may be improved with B vitamins.
People often find that meals high in carbohydrate are associated
with sleepiness and calmness. The amino acid tryptophan
can reduce the time taken to fall asleep, while tyrosine and
tryptophan may help recovery from jet lag.
Several ingredients, such as n-3 fatty acids, S-adenosylmethione
(SAMe) and folic acid have attracted attention as potential
functional ingredients for improving depression.

Health and well-being in ageing

Now we are living longer, there is an increased prevalence of
the chronic conditions of ageing (e.g. cardiovascular disease, CROWNALIFE
cancer, cataract, age-related macular degeneration, Parkinson’s The project explored gut microbial
disease, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoarthritis). Such conditions, population changes with age.
and indeed ageing itself, may put increased oxidative stress on Compared with children, adults have
the body. So, if we can reduce this, we can potentially delay or a larger number of different groups
of gut bacteria. An intervention trial
prevent some of these diseases.
found that a synbiotic preparation
Our bodies have several defences against oxidative stress, (probiotic and prebiotic) can
including: influence the gut microflora of older
adults. Findings will be applied to
• antioxidant enzymes;
the development of new functional
• minerals and trace elements, such as selenium, foods for the health and well-being
manganese and copper, which act as co-factors for the of the elderly European population.
antioxidant enzymes;
• vitamins, such as vitamins C and E, and carotenoids, all of
which can act as free radical quenchers with an antioxidant
effect;
• glutathione, a cysteine-containing peptide with a thiol
group which acts as a reducing agent that can be reversibly
oxidised and reduced.

11
Antioxidants naturally present in foods (e.g. vitamins C and E,
carotenoids, flavonoids and other polyphenols) are potentially
useful candidates for functional ingredients. Plant foods which
contain these substances such as berries (e.g. cranberry,
blueberry, goji, acai), mangosteen, pomegranate, tomato and
grapes are now being explored by the functional food industry
as potential antioxidants.
Various other ingredients are potential functional ingredients
for the prevention of age-related mental changes. The n-3 fatty
acids may have a role in reducing the risk of depression and
the prevention of age-related dementia, while ginkgo biloba
might play a role in the circulation and may help to improve
memory and mental concentration.

Physical performance
NUTRA-SNACKS
Functional foods could play a key role in helping us to be The project will facilitate the
more physically active. Liquid food formulae that deliver production of high quality ready
an appropriate balance of fluid, electrolytes and energy to eat snacks and foods with
substrates in a convenient and easily digestible form can help bioactive plant cell ingredients
physically active people, including athletes. Such liquid foods and functional activity useful for
may also help people who cannot easily consume enough promoting public health. The aim is
to produce foods with a variety of
food to meet their nutritional requirements.
activities such as anti-inflammatory,
Specific types of carbohydrates with a range of glycaemic antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and
indices, can influence both active performance and recovery, antioxidant activities for reducing
offering potential for functional foods. Micronutrient the risk of disease such as cancer,
supplementation of functional foods can also help to ensure hyperlipidaemia and hypertension.
adequate intakes during training and competition. Ready to eat breakfast snacks and
foods for those involved in sports
Other candidate functional ingredients to potentially improve will receive the highest priority.
physical performance include caffeine, specific amino acids,
creatine and carnitine.

Obesity
HELENA
As already mentioned, obesity has become a global public The project looked at the nutritional
health issue. In Europe the prevalence of obesity has tripled status of adolescents, including
during the past two decades. More than half of all adults and obesity prevalence, vitamin and
one in five children are overweight or obese in the EU. The mineral status and immunological
markers. Food choices and
nutritional approach to weight management involves reducing
preferences were investigated.
energy intake, which may be achieved by reducing the energy This project helped to understand
density of the diet, reducing appetite and/or enhancing satiety why health promoting messages
or reducing fat absorption. Fat and sugar replacers are potential are not as effective as expected
candidates for functional foods to reduce energy density, while in the adolescent population. The
foods with low glycaemic index or dietary fibre may enhance requirements for health promoting
satiety. foods were also identified and
products acceptable to this
A number of proposed functional food ingredients have been population group will be developed.
shown to act before the food is absorbed in the GI tract.
These include chitosan, conjugated linoleic acid, diglycerides,
medium-chain triglycerides, green tea, caffeine, calcium and
capsaicin.

12
Cardiovascular disease
Improving the lipid profile of the diet

Optimal heart health can be promoted by several dietary

components, of which dietary fats are the best studied.
Functional foods low in saturated fatty acids and trans fatty
acids could help to promote optimal low density lipoprotein
(LDL) cholesterol levels. Monounsaturates, such as olive oil,
and polyunsaturates (e.g. linoleic and alpha-linolenic acid)
can reduce plasma (LDL) concentrations, and some do this
without significantly lowering the beneficial high density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol.
Olive oil has been the subject of many research studies
for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic
properties in reducing CVD risk. The long chain n-3 fatty acids
(eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid) found in
fish oils can reduce plasma triacylglycerols, counteract blood
clotting and promote blood vessel integrity. Functional foods
enriched in these unsaturated fatty acids could reduce CVD
risk.

Other diet components

FLORA
Soluble fibre can influence cholesterol and lipoprotein
The project (Flavonoids and related
metabolism. In particular, it can reduce LDL concentrations, phenolics for healthy living using
particularly in people with high levels. Sources of soluble orally recommended antioxidants) is
fibre currently used in functional foods include psyllium and evaluating the beneficial effects of
dietary fructans (e.g. inulin, oligofructose). flavonoids and other plant phenolics
on CVD and cancer. Flavonoids are
Phytosterols (plant sterols and stanols) are naturally present
present in a wide variety of foods
in many fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, legumes, cereals, from citrus fruits to green tea, dark
vegetable oils and other plant sources. Used as functional chocolate and red wine. FLORA has
foods in fat spreads etc, they have been shown in numerous already characterised the antioxidant
studies to reduce plasma LDL concentration by an average and flavonoid content of a range
of 10 % and are thought to act by reducing intestinal of fruits and vegetables. Long
cholesterol absorption. term intake of dietary flavonoids in
rats has shown that absorption of
Diets high in plant foods and rich in polyphenols have anthocyanins significantly lowers
been associated with reduced risk for CVD and other risk of heart attack; purple tomatoes
chronic diseases. Possible mechanisms include their anti- have been shown to reduce risk
inflammatory, vasodilatory, anti-platelet and antioxidant of cancer in cancer-prone mice. In
effects. humans who smoke, orange juice
has a beneficial impact on platelet
Flavonoids represent a diverse range of polyphenolic
function.
compounds, including flavonols, flavones, flavanones, flavan-
3-ols, isoflavones, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.
Found naturally in plant foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables,
grains, herbs and beverages), these compounds could offer
potential as functional food ingredients.

13
Diabetes mellitus HEALTHGRAIN
Overweight and lack of physical activity have been consistently The project aims to improve the
associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes. However, well-being and reduce the risk
diet also appears to be important. Evidence supports the use of metabolic syndrome related
of whole grain foods, vegetables, fruits, foods low in saturated diseases in Europe by increasing
the intake of protective compounds
fat and also starchy foods with a low glycaemic index. Soluble
in whole grains or their fractions.
fibres with a low glycaemic index, such as psyllium and inulin, A whole grain diet seems to be
can have potential beneficial effects on glucose metabolism protective against development of
and insulin sensitivity. diet related disorders such as CVD
Since compliance with dietary recommendations in diabetes is and type 2 diabetes. Wholegrain
cereal products have been screened
often poor, functional foods may be valuable in both treatment
for bioactive compounds including
and prevention. vitamins (folate, tocols, choline),
Oral amino acids included in snacks have also been studied to phytochemicals (lignans, sterols,
explore positive benefits in blood glucose control and insulin alkylresorcinols, phenolic acids) and
sensitivity. Spices such as cinnamon, coriander, garlic, and indigestible carbohydrates. The aim
turmeric may also be beneficial anti-diabetic food ingredients. is to produce safe and tasty cereal
foods with high levels of bioactive
Chromium may be effective in optimising insulin metabolism
ingredients for health.
and lowering plasma cholesterol levels. Genetics appear
to have an influence, and nutrigenomic studies may help to
shed light on the individuals who could benefit from additional
chromium.

Musculoskeletal disease
Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent and debilitating
chronic conditions affecting older people. Pharmacological
interventions such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
(NSAIDs) are associated with severe adverse effects; this
creates a need for safe and alternative dietary therapies.
Substances such as glucosamine and chondroitin are used
as food supplements but could find application in functional
foods. Evidence is also emerging for collagen hydrolysate,
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), S-adenosylmethionine
(SAMe) and soybean unsaponifiables, all of which could be
explored as functional food ingredients.

Bone health
NUTRIDENT
Bone health is dependent on a variety of nutrients, including The project aims to identify
calcium, magnesium, vitamin D, vitamin K and vitamin C as and investigate the effects of
well as trace minerals such as manganese, copper and zinc. beverage and food components
Vitamin D is attracting attention for its role in bone mineral on the development of major
dental diseases. Dental caries and
density and bone growth. A significant proportion of the
gingivitis are the most prevalent
European population has poor vitamin D status, due to lack infectious diseases and are due to
of sunlight exposure. High fruit and vegetable intake is also the accumulation of dental plaque
associated with bone health and plant bioactive ingredients (a bacterial biofilm) on the tooth
may emerge as useful ingredients for bone protection. surface and at the gingival margin
Osteoporosis and bone fracture is a cause of considerable respectively. Certain beverages and
morbidity and mortality in older Europeans, making the search foods might protect against caries
for bone protective ingredients of economic importance to the and gingivitis and this project will
try to identify them. Such functional
food industry and the well-being of the European population.
constituents could be incorporated
into foods and/or into oral healthcare
products such as chewing gum and
toothpaste.

14
How to asses the scientific
evidence for functional foods?
Importance of markers
In some instances, it is possible to identify and measure markers of health and well-being rather than
studying the disease under consideration. Use of properly validated markers demands an understanding of
the mechanisms in the attainment of optimal health or disease development. Markers must be scientifically
well established and chosen to reflect accurately the processes of interest. Only then can the effect of
consuming a functional food on a valid proxy for the final endpoint – i.e. an improved state of health and well-
being or reduction in disease risk – be studied.
Markers could be chosen to reflect:

• a key target biological function:

e.g. Bacterial populations in the gut can be measured to demonstrate that a probiotic has
successfully passed through the stomach and could potentially have a beneficial effect in the
lower GI tract;
• a key stage in the development of a disease:
e.g. Bone mineral density can be used as a marker in the study of a functional food evaluating
potential benefit in reducing the risk of osteoporosis;
e.g. Flow mediated dilatation (FMD) can be used in the study of a food component designed to
improve endothelial function and so reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Measurements made over the short term on carefully chosen markers can be used as an indication of
effects on final health endpoints that would only otherwise be possible through long term study. Where
the underlying target functions or intermediate endpoints are unequivocally linked to the risk of disease, for
example, reduced serum levels of LDL cholesterol and reduced risk of heart disease, the markers are also
considered to be risk factors for disease.
Development of nutritional biomarkers is a challenge. Many biomarkers have been proposed but relatively few
have actually been established because of the complexity of disease mechanisms and the limited capability
of a single biomarker to reflect the collective impact of multiple biochemical effects on clinical outcome.

Potential nutrigenomics
Nutrigenomics evaluates changes in gene and protein expression and metabolite pathways detected as a
response to changes in dietary nutrients. Where such changes occur, markers could be identified and used
to demonstrate the effect of bioactive food components on health, helping the development of functional
foods that will contribute to health and well-being.

This is a rapidly emerging science but the tools to measure gene expression and metabolite production are
still in the process of development. It could be some time before the science is sufficiently well advanced to
allow the identification of robust markers for functional foods.

METABOLOMICS PROTEOMICS
Metabolomics, or metabolic profiling, could offer a source Dietary intervention studies
of novel biomarkers for nutritional studies. This technique have used proteomics to
could be used to more accurately define the molecules in identify changes in pathways
foods responsible for changes in metabolic profiles. For relating to glucose and fatty acid
example, the gut microflora produce significant metabolic metabolism, oxidative stress,
signals that can change the profile of biofluids and this antioxidant defence and redox
could be considered a new biomarker. status.

15
How should claims be substantiated?
FUFOSE
what role have EC funded projects Functional Food Science in
played? Europe proposed a scheme to link
functional foods with markers and
health outcomes and thus health
For a health claim to be truthful and not misleading to claims. The project looked at six
consumers, its basis and its wording must be fully consistent areas of science and health: growth,
with scientific evidence. Guidance for substantiation of claims, development and differentiation;
the nature of the evidence to be provided and its evaluation substrate metabolism; defence
against reactive oxygen
has been developed in several countries over the past two
species; functional foods and
decades. the cardiovascular system;
In Europe, the Health Claims regulation2 recognises the gastrointestinal physiology and
work of the EC Concerted Actions FUFOSE (Functional Food function; and the effects of foods on
Science in Europe) and PASSCLAIM (Process for the Scientific behaviour or psychological function.
Support for Claims on Foods) as valuable projects to be taken
into account when assessing health claims.

PASSCLAIM
A follow-on project from FUFOSE,
explored how claims might be
substantiated, including the type
of data needed to support them.
A set of consensus criteria were
produced which, if met, could give
some assurance that claims made
on foods can be considered valid.

1.
2. Regulation EC No 1924/2006 of the European Parliaments and
of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health
claims made on foods. Official Journal of the European Union
30.12.2006. L404/0-25

16
Research challenges for functional
foods

Key research challenges for functional foods are the need to identify new functional food ingredients and
to gain consumer acceptance of such products. In particular, research needs to:

• identify potential functional ingredients that could provide benefits in terms of health and well-being;
• identify individual biological responses to functional foods;
• define the bioavailability of functional food ingredients;
• develop appropriate biomarkers for a wider range of functional endpoints;
• develop the potential utility of nutrigenomics, bioinformatics, proteomics, metabolomics and
nanotechnology in the development of functional foods;
• anticipate demand for personalised nutrition and the potential role of functional foods;
• ensure stability of functional food ingredients during manufacturing and passage through the GI tract
to reach the target organ intact;
• establish Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for a wider range of nutrients to enable commercial
exploitation of more functional components.

17
Appendix 1
EC projects involving aspects related to functional foods:

Functional food has now grown into a significant area of European research. The EC supports, via its Frame-
work Programmes, research and development in functional food through a number of different funding
schemes. Details are available on the CORDIS website.

Project funded within the 4th Framework Programme:

• FUFOSE: Functional Food Science in Europe
website: http://www.ilsi.org/Europe/Pages/FUFOSE.aspx

Projects funded within the 5th Framework Programme:

• BIOCLA: Production of CLA-enriched dairy products by natural means
website: http://www.teagasc.ie/research/dprc/biocla/
• CROSSENZ: Novel cross-linking enzymes and their consumer acceptance for structure engineering of
food
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• CROWNALIFE: Functional food, gut microflora and healthy ageing
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• DEPROHEALTH: Probiotic strains with designed health properties
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• EU AND MICROFUNCTION: Functional assessment of interactions between the human gut
microbiota and the host
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• EUROSTARCH: Stable isotope applications to monitor starch digestion and fermentation for the
development of functional foods
website: http://www.eurostarch.org
• FUNCLA: Conjugated linoleic acid (cla) in functional food: a potential benefit for overweight middle-
aged Europeans
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• HTMPROT: Hypotensive peptides from milk proteins
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• NUHEAL: Nutraceuticals for a healthier life: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and 5-methyl-tetrahydro-
folate
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• MICROBE DIAGNOSTICS: Development and application of high throughput molecular methods for
studying the human gut microbiota in relation to diet and health
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• OPTIFORD: Towards an optimal strategy for optimal vitamin D fortification
website: http://www.optiford.org
• PASSCLAIM: A process for the assessment of scientific support for claims on foods
website: http://europe.ilsi.org/activities/ecprojects/PASSCLAIM/
• PROEUHEALTH: The Food, GI-tract Functionality and Human Health Cluster
website: http://proeuhealth.vtt.fi/
• PROGID: Probiotics and gastrointestinal disorders - controlled trials of european union patients
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• PROPATH: Molecular analysis and mechanistic elucidation of the functionality of probiotics and
prebiotics in the inhibition of pathogenic microorganisms to combat gastrointestinal disorders and to
improve human health
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• PROSAFE: Biosafety evaluation of probiotic lactic acid bacteria used for human consumption
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu

18
• PROTECH: Nutritional enhancement of probiotics and prebiotics: technology aspects on microbial
viability, stability, functionality and on prebiotic function
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• SEAHEALTH: Seaweed antioxidants as novel ingredients for better health and food quality
website: http://www.sea-health.org
• SENIOR FOOD-QOL: Choosing foods, eating meals: sustaining independence and quality of life in old
age
website: http;//www.foodinlaterlife.org

Projects funded within the 6th Framework Programme:

• BIOACTIVE-NET: Assessment and dissemination of strategies for the extraction of bioactive

compounds from tomato, olive and grape processing residues
website: http://www.bioactive-net.com
• DIEPHY: Dietary exposures to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and DNA damage
website: http://www.imp.lodz.pl/diephy/
• DIOGENES: Diet, Obesity and Genes
website: http://www.diogenes-eu.org
• EARNEST: Early Nutrition Programming – long term follow up of efficacy and safety trials and
integrated epidemiological , genetic, animal, consumer andeconomic research Project
website: http://www.metabolic-programming.org/
• FLAVO: Flavonoids in fruits and vegetables: their impact on food quality, nutrition and human health
website: http://flavo.vtt.fi/
• FLORA: Flavonoids and related phenolics for healthy Living using Orally Recommended Antioxidants
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• GUTHEALTH SUPPORT: Networking in Candidate countries towards Food, GI-tract functionality and
human health
website: http://www.vtt.fi
• GUTIMPACT: Innovations and Impact of Gut Health Foods: A Virtual Technology Platform
website: http://www.gutimpact.net/everyone
• HEALTHGRAIN: Exploiting Bioactivity of European Cereal Grains for Improved Nutrition and Health
Benefits
website: http://www.healthgrain.org
• HELENA Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence
website: http://www.helenastudy.com
• LIPGENE: Diet, genomics and the metabolic syndrome: an integrated nutrition, agro-food, social and
economic analysis
website: http://www.ucd.ie/lipgene/
• LYCOCARD: Role of lycopene for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases
website: http://www.ucd.ie/lipgene/
• NOFORISK: Qualitative risk assessment strategies for novel foods
website: http://www.noforisk.org
• NUTRASNACKS: Ready to Eat Food for breakfast and sport activity with high content of
nutraceutics preventing disease and promoting public health
website: http://www.mlib.cnr.it/nutra-snacks/
• NUTRIDENT: Towards functional foods for oral health care – isolation, identification and evaluation of
beverage and food components with anti-caries and/or anti-gingivitis activities
website: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/eastman/nutrident/index.php
• SEAFOOD PLUS: Health improving, safe seafood of high quality in a consumer driven fork-to-farm
concept
website: http://www.seafoodplus.org

19
• ZINCAGE: Nutritional Zinc, Oxidative Stress And Immunosenescence: Biochemical, Genetic And
Lifestyle Implications For Healthy Ageing
website: http://www.zincage.org/home.htm
Projects funded within the 7th Framework Programme:
• BASEFOOD: Sustainable exploitation of bioactive components from the Black Sea Area traditional
foods
website: http://www.basefood-fp7.eu
• COLORSPORE: New sources of natural, gastric stable, food additives, colorants and novel functional
foods
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• FLAVIOLA: Targeted delivery of dietary flavanols for optimal human cell function: Effect on
cardiovascular health
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu
• LIPIDIDIET: Therapeutic and Preventive Impact of Nutritional Lipids on Neuronal and Cognitive
Performance in Aging, Alzheimer’s disease and Vascular Dementia
website: http://www.lipididiet.progressima.eu
• NUTRIMENTHE: Effect of diet on the mental performance of children
website: http://www.nutrimenthe.eu
• TORNADO: Diet and its effect on the development of intestinal microflora and on the immune
system through the entire lifespan
website: http://www.cordis.europa.eu

20
Appendix 2: Resources

DG Research
Directorate E - Biotechnologies,
Agriculture, Food
Food – Health – Well-Being Unit
European Commission
B-1049 Brussels
Belgium
Fax: +32 2 296 4322
http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/research/index_en.html

European Commission DG Research Information Centre

http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/

FP5 Food, Nutrition & Health

http://ec.europa.eu/research/quality-of-life/ka1/home_en.htm

Information on FP6 Food projects

http://www.cordis.lu/food/

FP6 general information

http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp6/index_en.cfm?p=0

FP7
http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/cooperation/food_ en.html

21
European Commission

Functional Foods

Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union

2010 — 24 pp. — B5, e.g. 17.6 x 25 cm

ISBN 978-92-79-14239-0
doi 10.2777/85512
 How to obtain EU publications

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 KI-NA-24194-EN-C
In the 21st century, health is no longer restricted to the absence of disease but includes optimal physi-
cal and mental well-being. Nutrition science has evolved at the same time. It has moved beyond the
study of the food and nutrients required for the development, growth and maintenance of the body
towards the concept of “optimal nutrition”. This is the nutrient intake to promote overall health and well-
being, to improve physical and mental performance and to reduce risk of diseases such as cancer,
obesity, CVD, diabetes.
Research aimed at the development of functional foods that might deliver such benefits and has been
a natural consequence of this new concept. The European scientific community is working hard to
identify and understand the potential mechanisms of biologically active components in food which
could enhance our health and overall well-being, and possibly, reduce the risk of disease. The purpose
of this brochure is to give an overview of the research carried out in this area and examples of projects
financed under FP5, FP6 and FP7 in order to develop new products for the benefit of the consumer.

Knowledge - Based Bio - Economy (KBBE) : http ://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/kbbe/home_en.html