Functional foods are foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition due to the presence of bioactive compounds. These health benefits may include the prevention, management, or treatment of chronic diseases, enhancement of physical and mental well-being, or overall improved health.
Functional foods can be natural or modified:
1. **Natural Functional Foods:** These include foods inherently rich in beneficial compounds, such as:
- Fruits (e.g., berries, which are high in antioxidants)
- Vegetables (e.g., spinach, which is rich in vitamins and minerals)
- Nuts and seeds (e.g., flaxseed, which is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids)
- Whole grains (e.g., oats, which contain soluble fiber called beta-glucan)
2. **Modified Functional Foods:** These are foods that have been fortified or enriched with additional nutrients or ingredients to enhance their health benefits. Common examples include:
- Probiotic yogurt (enhanced with live beneficial bacteria to support digestive health)
- Fortified cereals and juices (with added vitamins and minerals like vitamin D and calcium)
- Omega-3 enriched eggs (produced by feeding hens a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids)
The concept of functional foods often overlaps with "nutraceuticals," which are products derived from food sources with extra health benefits in supplement form, and "designer foods," which are tailored to meet specific health needs.
Regulation and labeling of functional foods vary by country, but the scientific community generally supports their potential to improve health when part of a balanced diet. This has led to substantial interest in both research and consumer markets for these products.
What is functional food
1 answer