Consumers in Asia are far more likely to be interested in healthy eating than those in the western world, according to a survey commissioned by Ingredient Commnature made magnesium citrate 250 mg softgelsunications and conducted by market researchers Asia Opinions.###Researchers asked 600 consumers in Asia and 700 in the western hemisphere, including Australia and New Zealand, about their views on a range of nutrition issues.###Richard Clarke, director of Ingredient Communications tells Food News International more about the east-west eating attitudes.###FNI: Why are Asians more keen on healthy eating than the westerners?
Clarke: Although it is a generalization, I think that culturally and historically, people in Asia have always associated food with wellness.###Conversely, I believe that many people in western society have been slower to wake up to the benefits of a healthy diet.###It is only relatively recently – perhaps the past 15 years – that consumers in countries such as the UK have begun to appreciate the benefits of healthy eating.###In many Asian countries, by contrast, this is something that is ingrained in their heritage and is learned from a very early age.###Food and beverage companies in Asia understand and appreciate the culture of wellbeing that underpins the people’s lifestyles.###Therefore they create products which enhance this, rather than work against it.###FNI: How did the western diet affeccitracal calcium supplement maximum plust Asian’s health-consciousness concerning what they eat and drink?###Clarke: The westernization of Asian diets is positive in one respect.###It reflects rising living standards and increased affluence.###A higher standard of living is always a good thing.###However, on the downside, the popularity of some western foods such as cheeseburgers and pizzas, which tend to be high in saturated fat, pose a health risk if they are not consumed in moderation.###FNI: Do you see a trend of westerners eating more Asian food in their effkal calciumort to be healthy?
Clarke: Westerners in many countries have enjoyed and loved Asian food for decades, with Chinese, Indian, Japanese and Thai cuisines particularly popular.###However, Asian food is often associated with indulgence.###This means that people will eat an Asian meal as a take-away on a Friday night, or on a visit to a restaurant with friends for an evening out.###When it comes to healthy eating, much of the focus in the west is on reducing consumption of sugar, salt and saturated fat, regardless of the nationality of a dish.###It is worth noting, too, that much of the Asian food available in the west is actually quite different from what you would find if you visited the country itself.###Often, it is the case that the authentic food served in a country is much healthier than the version served in the west, which is sometimes sweeter, fattier and saltier in order to cater for western tastes.###Perhaps there is a good opportunity for Asian food companies to help westerners create Asian meals that are more authentic, and therefore in some cases healthier.###However, old habits die hard, and shifting consumer tastes and preferences might be difficult in the short term.###FNI: Could you explain on the importance of ‘glocalization’ for food manufacturers?
Clarke: Glocalization means that it is fine for larger food companies to have a global outlook.###It makes them more efficient and helps to keep theicalcium citrate chews targetr costs down.###But it is important that they adapt their products to local tastes.###In a country where there is a greater interest in healthy eating, it makes sense to ensure your product sings this message loud and clear.###In other markets, however, it is possible that the driving factors of consumption is different.#nutridyn magnesium citrate##It could be that convenience is more important, or price, or enjoyment, or a combination of any of these.###The key point is that it is fine to think global, but remember that it is important to cater for specific local tastes too, hence ‘glocalization’.