Have you noticed that more and more products in the supermarket promise to go beyond basic nutrition? Bars with extra protein, coffees with collagen, granolas enriched with fibre. It's not a passing fad — it's functional food, and it's changing the way we think about food.
In this guide, we'll explain what "functional food" really means, what science says, what the trends for 2026 are, and how you can integrate functional foods into your routine in a practical way.
What are functional foods?
Functional foods are food products that, in addition to nourishing, contain bioactive ingredients with demonstrated beneficial effects on health. They are not supplements — they are real food, designed to offer more than just energy.
The concept originated in Japan in the 1980s when the Japanese government created the FOSHU (Foods for Specified Health Uses) category. Since then, Europe and the United States have developed their own regulatory frameworks — in the EU, Regulation (EC) 1924/2006 defines which nutritional and health claims can be used on foods.
Practical examples of functional foods include products with a high protein content (which contributes to the maintenance of muscle mass), foods rich in fibre (which contributes to normal bowel function), or products enriched with specific vitamins and minerals.
What does science say?
Scientific research on functional foods has grown exponentially in the last decade. According to a review published in the journal Nutrients (MDPI, 2024), functional foods can play a relevant role in preventing nutritional deficiencies and promoting metabolic health when integrated into a balanced diet[1].
It is important to distinguish between proven facts and empty promises. In Europe, EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) maintains a strict list of authorised health claims. For example, it is scientifically demonstrated and legally permitted to state that protein contributes to the growth and maintenance of muscle mass, or that oat fibre contributes to an increase in faecal bulk. However, generic claims such as "superfood" or "detox" have no regulatory basis.
Functional food trends for 2026
The functional food market is evolving rapidly. According to reports from Innova Market Insights and SPINS, these are the trends defining 2026:
Protein+: more than just protein
The "Protein-Plus" trend — coined by FrieslandCampina Ingredients — reflects the demand for products that combine high protein content with additional functional ingredients. It's not enough to have protein; consumers want protein with collagen, with creatine, with fibre. It's the convergence of performance and nutrition[2].
Fibermaxxing: fibre as the protagonist
TikTok and Instagram have popularised the concept of "fibermaxxing" — the conscious effort to meet or exceed the recommended daily allowance of fibre. With growing awareness of gut health, products with high fibre content (such as protein oats or high-fibre bars) are among the most sought after[3].
Cognitive and functional nutrition
Ingredients such as caffeine (which contributes to increased alertness and improved concentration, according to EFSA-approved claims), L-theanine, and creatine are gaining ground in everyday foods — from functional coffee to energy bars.
How to integrate functional foods into your daily life
You don't need to revolutionise your diet. A few simple swaps make a difference:
For breakfast: swap conventional oats for protein oats with a high fibre content. For example, CORIAL Instant Protein Oats have 30g of protein and over 6g of fibre per 100g — qualifying as "high protein" and "high fibre" according to European legislation.
For your morning coffee: replace plain coffee with a functional coffee with collagen, which combines caffeine with 85% hydrolysed collagen — a source of structural protein for your body.
Functional food isn't magic — it's applied science
The most important point: functional foods are not "miraculous". They are foods with optimised nutritional profiles, whose benefits are supported by scientific evidence and regulated by entities such as EFSA in Europe and the FDA in the United States.
At CORIAL, each product is formulated with functional ingredients and the claims we use are always verified and approved by the competent regulatory bodies. Because we believe that quality functional nutrition is based on facts, not promises.
References
- Granato, D. et al. (2024). "Functional Foods and Bioactive Compounds: A Review of Its Possible Role on Weight Management and Obesity's Metabolic Consequences." Nutrients, MDPI. mdpi.com/nutrients
- FrieslandCampina Ingredients (2025). "Protein-Plus: The next evolution in functional nutrition." foodnavigator.com
- SPINS (2026). "2026 Food Trends: Tech, Personalization and Functional Eating." foodnavigator-usa.com