Processed meat products play a vital role in our daily dietary intake due to
their rich protein content and the inherent convenience they offer. However,
they often contain synthetic additives and ingredients that may pose health
risks when taken excessively. This review explores strategies to improve meat
product quality, focusing on three key approaches: substituting synthetic
additives, reducing the ingredients potentially harmful when overconsumed like
salt and animal fat, and boosting nutritional value. To replace synthetic
additives, natural sources like celery and beet powders, as well as atmospheric
cold plasma treatment, have been considered. However, for phosphates, the use of
organic alternatives is limited due to the low phosphate content in natural
substances. Thus, dietary fiber has been used to replicate phosphate functions
by enhancing water retention and emulsion stability in meat products. Reducing
the excessive salt and animal fat has garnered attention. Plant polysaccharides
interact with water, fat, and proteins, improving gel formation and water
retention, and enabling the development of low-salt and low-fat products.
Replacing saturated fats with vegetable oils is also an option, but it requires
techniques like Pickering emulsion or encapsulation to maintain product quality.
These strategies aim to reduce or replace synthetic additives and ingredients
that can potentially harm health. Dietary fiber offers numerous health benefits,
including gut health improvement, calorie reduction, and blood glucose and lipid
level regulation. Natural plant extracts not only enhance oxidative stability
but also reduce potential carcinogens as antioxidants. Controlling protein and
lipid bioavailability is also considered, especially for specific consumer
groups like infants, the elderly, and individuals engaged in physical training
with dietary management. Future research should explore the full potential of
dietary fiber, encompassing synthetic additive substitution, salt and animal fat
reduction, and nutritional enhancement. Additionally, optimal sources and
dosages of polysaccharides should be determined, considering their distinct
properties in interactions with water, proteins, and fats. This holistic
approach holds promise for improving meat product quality with minimal
processing.