Abstract
There is a lack of information about consumer understanding of functional foods. Sprouts provide beneficial compounds that can help counteract chronic noncommunicable diseases. The population of a region in Northwestern Mexico has a high prevalence of chronic degenerative disease, and there is a need to promote strategies to increase the consumption of foods that provide health benefits, including sprouts. However, there is a lack of information regarding the sale, consumption and perception of sprouts’ healthy properties. A computer-assisted web-based survey (CAWI) was developed and distributed through social media to understand consumer knowledge of these foods’ health effects and their consumption. The survey of people with diverse sociodemographic profiles indicated a 1–3 times per week consumption and they knew the health benefits of consuming sprouts. A total of 82% of respondents were conscious that sprout consumption could prevent chronic diseases, which may be related to education level (χ2: 0.001, p < 0.05). In order to expand on our findings, it is important to investigate the communication strategies used by sprout manufacturers, dieticians, nutritionists and health professionals about the health benefits of sprout products to promote their consumption.
Highlights
In recent years, the high prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases and changes in lifestyles have led to new food consumption trends
The population of a region in Northwestern Mexico has a high prevalence of chronic degenerative disease, and there is a need to promote strategies to increase the consumption of foods that provide health benefits, including sprouts
According to the findings reported by previous studies about the influence of sociodemographic variables on factors that determine consumption, the perception of health and knowledge of sprouted grains and that these relationships may behave differently depending on the customs, beliefs and culture of each country, it is possible to formulate the following hypothesis: the sociodemographic profile of a population in northwestern Mexico influences the perception of health, knowledge and frequency of consumption of germinated seeds
Summary
The high prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases and changes in lifestyles have led to new food consumption trends. Sprouted seeds have long been consumed in oriental countries and form an important part of their culinary history. Given their rich flavour, smell and bioactive compounds, these products can be used to prepare salads or other high-quality foods, and positive perceptions of these products have influenced the development of foods such as breakfast cereals, snacks and baked goods [5]. There are new options for the consumption of sprouts and a large proportion of the population prefers healthy foods and is inclined to consume them, several studies have reported that the selection and perception of healthy foods could be related to several sociodemographic characteristics of the population [6]
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