Significance of Functional food
Functional food refers to dietary components that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. This includes a wide variety of food products enriched with nutrients, bioactive compounds, or traditional medicinal ingredients. These foods aid in disease prevention, promote health, and can improve specific physiological functions. Examples include items like dragon fruit, flaxseeds, and garlic, known for their health-promoting properties. Functional foods are an important aspect of modern nutrition, offering therapeutic potential while supporting overall well-being and health maintenance.
Synonyms: Health food, Superfood, Dietary supplement, Fortified foods, Designer foods
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The concept of Functional food in scientific sources
Functional food encompasses items that deliver health benefits beyond basic nutrition, supporting physiological functions and offering measurable medical advantages. These foods are designed to enhance well-being while resembling conventional food products.
(1) These are foods that have been modified to provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as beetroot juice, which is rich in antioxidants and used to aid recovery.[1] (2) Foods that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, explored in the context of healthy aging.[2] (3) Food products that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, including bio-active compounds or fortified nutrients to improve physiological function or reduce disease risks.[3] (4) Food that is enhanced with additional ingredients to improve its health benefits, particularly targeted towards specific health conditions like cancer.[4] (5) Food products that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition, in this context referring to stingless bee honey as a complementary treatment for COVID-19.[5]