Development and health implications of functional dairy food products: A review

Abstract

Milk and dairy products have been studied in food processing due to their high nutritional quality and potential health benefits, contributing to the modulation and prevention of non-communicable diseases. In addition, these products have great acceptance by the population, are frequently consumed and have high technological versatility. As a re-sult, they have been widely studied in the field of functional foods. The aim of this review was to compile information on the development of functional dairy foods. Currently, the main bioactive compounds added in the development of functional dairy products are prebiotics, probiotics, fiber, antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids. Encapsulation is the main technological strategy used for incorporation because it improves nutrient retention and stability in the dairy matrix and promotes bioavailability in the body, enhancing the potential health benefits. The main health benefits of functional dairy products are the improvement of cardio-metabolic health biomarkers, appetite and satiety regulation, and gut microbiota modulation, depending on the added compound. In conclusion, the development of functional dairy products is a global trend of scientific exploration, which has evolved due to its versatility as a vehicle for bioactive compounds with potential health benefits for consumers. However, more studies are needed to evaluate the health benefits of these foods for the prevention of different diseases.