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There are several options in almost every product area in today’s market, and the difficulty is in coming up with unique items that stand out and connect with customers. Food Research Lab's Food Research Lab takes a holistic approach to creating food and beverage products. We define, demographically target, and build effective goods through a sequential process for category selection and comprehension. The client can visit the lab to learn the process. We offer unlimited rounds of revisions to ensure customer satisfaction. The final product prototype, along with the documentation process, including the video (through email), will be shipped to the client, and in case the client is not satisfied with the video, a food technology consultant will visit the place for the product demo at the client’s costs.

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The food industry is witnessing a new form of consumption. Keeping that in mind, we can formulate the products in the form of ready-to-eat, ready-to-drink, ready-to-mix, ready-to-serve, and ready-to-cook food products. We use ingredients that offer an added value to the development and improve its indulgence and sustainability in terms of its functional ingredients, plant-based food dyes, and natural preservatives with a clean label.

What are the sectors Food Research Lab cover?

We cover a wide range of sectors such as soups, sauces and dips, chips, tortillas, dry beverage powder, plant-based products, masalas, puddings, instant mixes and many more.

How is sensory testing been carried out?

Our sensory examination leads to the precise formulation and recipe recommendations. We develop data-driven design models based on sensory research and customer insights. The fact-based design methodology used by Food Research Lab reduces risk and gives our clients market confidence while cutting development time in half. With our dedicated sensory lab facility, our team takes satisfaction in creating and optimizing successful products in the marketplace, generating a favourable return on investment, and developing brand advocates.

Functional Foods for Mental Health Management|Food Research Lab(FRL)

26 May

How do functional foods help in the management of Mental Health disorders?

by Food Research Lab

in New product development, Nutraceutical Product

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Introduction

Mental health disorders are defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “A cluster of psychological, behavioural, and emotional symptoms that interfere with an individual’s ability to function effectively in daily life.” In addition to the WHO, mental health disorders are defined by other international organisations, such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA) and the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) published by the World Health Organization.

International guidelines define mental health disorders as conditions that cause significant distress or impairment in one or more areas of a person’s life, including their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, and relationships. It’s worth noting that these disorders can manifest in different ways and affect the mental health of people differently. It is also possible for individuals to experience symptoms of multiple disorders simultaneously [1]. Medication, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), exercise and rest can help manage the symptoms of mental health disorders. Recently, there has been a growing interest in the role of food in managing mental health disorders.

Functional Food in Mental Health Disorders

Functional foods contain specific nutrients or bioactive compounds that are believed to have health benefits beyond essential nutrition. There is strong evidence that some functional foods can benefit mental health. The following food may be beneficial-

Omega-3-rich food: Omega-3 fatty acids help in the development of the Central Nervous System(CNS). They also help in neurotransmission. Studies have shown that consuming omega-3-rich food like fatty fish, fish oil capsules, walnuts, and flaxseed has been shown to affect mood positively and might help reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression [2].
Fermented food: There has been an increasing body of research which suggests that there is a strong association between gut health and mental health. Alteration of the gut microbiome leads to inflammation, which is implicated in the symptoms of mental health disorders. Fermented food like yoghurt and kefir involves intentionally adding beneficial microorganisms. This helps modulate the pathways that cause anxiety and depression by reducing inflammation in the body [3].

Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate has a significantly higher content of flavonoids than white or milk chocolate. They have anti-oxidant properties and reduce inflammatory damage to cells, benefiting mental health. In addition, it helps improve blood flow to the brain, subsequently improving cognitive health [4].
Turmeric: Turmeric is rich in curcumin, and studies have shown that curcumin is a compound with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce symptoms of depression. Therefore, nutraceutical companies have shown a great interest in developing turmeric-based nutraceutical products in India and abroad [5].

 Research suggests that including some functional and speciality food in the diet may be an effective way to enhance general mental health and well-being. To fully comprehend the relationship between functional food and mental health, more research is needed. It is crucial to note that functional food should be considered a complementary strategy that can be used with other interventions, not as a substitute for expert mental health therapy.

Conclusion

A comprehensive treatment plan is required to manage mental health disorders. Functional food can be a valuable addition to the treatment. Before consuming, it’s crucial to get guidance from a licenced professional to ensure there are no drug-food interactions or a decrease in the efficacy of the medication.

How the Food Research Lab can help

The Food Research Lab is a food license consultant that offers nutraceutical formulation services using carefully sourced ingredients. The team of experts assist their clients at every step, from obtaining an idea about consumer preferences via market research to product formulation, testing and labelling, which ensures the product meets the regulatory requirements, making it successful.