3. Definition
โข Functional foods are ingredients that offer health
benefits that extend beyond their nutritional value.
Some types contain supplements or other
additional ingredients designed to improve health.
โข The concept originated in Japan in the 1980s when
government agencies started approving foods with
proven benefits in an effort to better the health of
the general population.
4. Functional foods are generally separated into two categories:
1. Conventional foods
2. Modified foods
Conventional foods:
Conventional foods are natural, whole-food ingredients that are rich in
important nutrients like vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and heart-healthy
fats.
Examples of functional foods
5. Examples of conventional foods are:
Fruits: berries, kiwi, pears, peaches, apple
Vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, kale
Nuts: almonds, cashews, pistachios
Whole grains: oats, barley, buckwheat
Seafood: salmon, sardines, anchovies
Fermented foods: tempeh, kombucha
Herbs and spices: turmeric, cinnamon
Beverages: coffee, green tea, black
6. Modified food
โข Modified foods have been fortified with additional ingredients, such
as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or fiber, to increase a foodโs health
benefits.
โข Examples of modified foods are:
โข fortified juices
โข fortified dairy products, such as milk and yogurt
โข fortified milk alternatives, such as almond, rice, coconut, and cashew
milk
โข fortified grains, such as bread and pasta
โข fortified cereal and granola
โข fortified eggs
7. Benefits:
1- May prevent nutritional deficiencies:
Functional foods are typically high in important nutrients,
including vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and fiber.
Filling your diet with a variety of functional foods โ including
both conventional and fortified foodsโ โ can help ensure you get
the nutrients you need and protect against nutrient deficiencies.
8. Functional foods provide important nutrients that can help protect against
disease.
Many are especially rich in antioxidants. These molecules help neutralize
harmful compounds known as free radicals, helping prevent cell damage and
certain chronic conditions, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. armful
compounds known as free radicals, helping prevent cell damage and certain chronic conditions, including heart disease,
cancer, and diabetes
2- May prevent against disease:
9. Functional foods are associated with several potential health benefits.
Functional foods are associated with several potential health benefits.
Functional foods are associated with several potential health benefits.
3-Potential benefits:
Functional foods are associated with several potential
health benefits.
10. 4- May promote proper growth and development :
Certain nutrients are essential to proper growth and development in infants
and children.Enjoying a wide range of nutrient-rich functional foods as part
of a healthy diet can help ensure that nutritional needs are met. In addition,
it can be beneficial to include foods that are fortified with specific nutrients
that are important for growth and development.
For example, cereals, grains, and flours are often fortified with B vitamins
like folic acid
11. Uses:
A well-rounded, healthy diet should be rich in a variety of functional foods,
including nutrient-rich whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains,
and legumes.
Modified, fortified functional foods can also fit into a balanced diet. In fact,
they can help fill any gaps in your diet to prevent nutrient deficiencies, as
well as enhance health by boosting your intake of important nutrients like
vitamins, minerals, fiber, heart-healthy fats, or probiotics.
12. Conclusion:
Functional foods are a category of food associated with
several powerful health benefits.
They can not only prevent nutrient deficiencies but also
protect against disease and promote proper growth and
development.
In addition to enjoying a variety of healthy whole foods,
you can include more fortified foods in your diet to fill
any nutritional gaps and support better health.
