What are Functional Foods?

Foods that have specific documented beneficial effects on health are generally referred to as functional foods. These are regular foods – not capsules or tablets. Good, healthy, beneficial food.

Functional foods occupy a space in the borderland between food and medicine. Today the concept of functional foods is known almost all over the world. These foods are part of a larger global health trend with strong driving forces in both the United States and Europe.

Foods that qualify as functional foods provide society and the individual with the opportunity to inexpensively prevent diseases that have their origin in our western lifestyle. Some examples include hypertension, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes and obesity.

Another interesting area for functional foods is baby food. Allergies spread in a remarkable way. Theories suggest a weakened immune response due to our lifestyle and especially our "good hygiene".

Functional foods also have great potential for use in medical care as a counterweight, for example for patients on strong medications such as antibiotics or chemotherapy. Athletics can place a significant strain on our immune defenses. Functional foods can help to prevent wear and repair injuries that may arise.

PrimaLiv, which is also produced by Skåne Dairy, became the first Swedish food approved as a functional food according to food industry regulations. Shortly thereafter ProViva was also approved. In concrete terms, this means that PrimaLiv and ProViva may be marketed with a product-specific health claim.