Ever heard of Phoods and Bepharages?

Well now you have.

They are food and drink products with additional health related benefits. Functional, Fortified and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages: The U.S. Phood Market suggests functional food and drinks are an exploding market which is so important that the writers of the report have created their own words – “phoods” and “bepharages”!

Greater consumer awareness of the benefits of functional foods is stimulating growing consumer demand for these products. In fact, a huge niche market is already well established and expected to continue growing out of the demand for phoods and bepherages. These are new terms for functional foods, packaged foods and drinks providing a positivepharmaceutical benefit beyond basic nutrition by virtue of their inclusion of medically beneficial ingredients.

Phoods and bepharages are increasingly seen as excellent, alternative delivery systems for many of the nutritional supplements already being taken by a number of consumers. As a result it is clear that phoods may already be eating into the vitamin and nutraceutical market.

Key ingredients will play a vital role in this expanding market. During the next few years, the largest increases in nutraceutical ingredient demand is likely to be for glucosamine, probiotics and sterol esters, whey protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and Co-Q10. Many functional foods, such as refrigerated teas, food bars, yogurts, and bottled waters, are and will continue to make inroads into the market share of their conventional competitors.

For a comprehensive assessment of functional foods and consumer trends driving the market, along with the key nutrients, the status of government regulation of food and beverage health claims, and issues such as obesity and the new Food Guide Pyramid impacting the market read Functional, Fortified and Inherently Healthy Foods and Beverages: The U.S. Phood Market.