Application of Dairy Food Processing Technology Supplemented with Enriched Nutrients for the Elderly: I. Nutritional Conditions and Care-foods for the Elderly

The elderly often experience difficulty while eating; this can include physical problems, such as chewing and swallowing. Furthermore, their salt intake can be high due to a diminished sense of taste and smell. This can result in a reduction in calorie intake and subsequent malnourishment. Currently, the number of food products available in the market that are targeted specifically at the older population is very low. Development of nutritional supplement-based foods for the elderly is expected to reduce these dietary problems and therefore prevent nutritional deficiencies within this population. Milk and other dairy products are excellent sources of nutrition in terms of both nutrient content and absorption rates. Dairy products have been consumed around the world for centuries, and therefore represent an excellent food source for the elderly. In addition, use of milk-derived ingredients, such as casein and calcium, will enable the development of a variety of food products and supplements targeted at this specific age group. In the future, it is expected that milk and other dairy products will be used to develop a variety of nutritious food items for the elderly in the domestic food market.