London, Nov 5 (IANS): If you consider elderly people to be traditional consumers, think twice as a new study reveals that there are more elderly people who are happy to accept new-age foods.

To come up with new foods adapted to the needs of the population over 65, AZTI, an expert technology centre in marine and food research in Spain, in collaboration with the ADIMEN group of sociologists worked to produce various food prototypes.

In the quest for new foods, one of the key aspects that was revealed is that the moment of eating should become a moment of pleasure.

"The results, the outcome of the interaction between methodologies of the sensory sciences and the consumer together with other more classical ones to do with sociological behaviour, have provided clear proof that 50 percent of the seniors consulted readily accepted new foods," said the Spanish team.

The team was seeking a solution through foods to prevent the problems that emerge with the passing years as senior consumers also showed a significant degree of concern about health matters.

Among the disorders identified in the study are cardiovascular disease, cancer and those relating to digestive health.

The elderly people are a group of great interest for the food industry as they constitute a target group with purchasing capacity and are prepared to try new things, concluded the study.