Functional foods have quickly become a trendy trend as diners look for ways to enhance their health and wellbeing. These products include superfoods rich in nutrients, fortified products with essential nutrients like cordyceps or reishi mushrooms, etc.
Food products marketed with misleading claims can become problematic when they contain additional sugar, sodium, saturated fat and calories.
They are nutrient-dense
Functional foods contain nutrients that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. They may help promote physical wellbeing, prevent diseases and decrease side effects from medications taken for various health problems. A functional food may achieve its intended effects through multiple means; adding or replacing components known to produce positive health outcomes or decreasing its disease-risk potential or increasing bioavailability could all be part of its strategy.
However, it should be remembered that many claims regarding functional foods are made on marketing rather than solid research. For example, some dietary supplements haven’t undergone human trials and could pose health risks; in addition, relying on functional food can make people less likely to eat in a balanced fashion.
Functional foods typically comprise minimally processed, whole foods like berries, legumes and fatty fish. It is important to avoid overeating certain items such as too many berries or high doses of certain fibers which could cause bloating.
They are high in omega-3 fatty acids
As part of their efforts to lower healthcare costs, many consumers are turning towards functional foods and superfoods as an attempt to manage healthcare expenses. Proponents of such foods claim they can help prevent chronic diseases, promote good health, extend lifespans and enable consumers to forgo expensive pharmaceutical drugs; critics of functional food caution that such claims often remain unverifiable and misleading to the public.
Functional food industries have an unfortunate history of making false and misleading health claims to boost sales. Consumers should be wary when considering functional foods as it’s important to be aware of their limitations and risks as well as any personal allergies or sensitivities they might have when taking these supplements, for instance dairy allergies and high fiber grains which could cause bloating. It is therefore wise to discuss their use with your physician first before adding these into their diet.
They are rich in fiber
Functional foods offer numerous health advantages, but one major one lies in their ability to balance gut bacteria and boost digestive health. Probiotic-rich foods may also help reduce inflammation and enhance immunity; and foods containing prebiotics (like berries or oatmeal) may benefit digestion as well.
Food scientists have created numerous novel foods designed to enhance nutrition. Examples include orange juice enriched with calcium and margarine packed with omega-3 fatty acids; such products are considered functional foods because of their additional nutrients.
American Dietetic Association’s 1999 position paper defines functional foods as whole, fortified, enriched or enhanced foods which offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition when consumed regularly and at effective levels. Any claims about such products should be supported by scientific evidence obtained through replicated and placebo-controlled trials conducted both on animals and human subjects.
They are fortified
Functional foods are an integral component of a nutritious diet. They can increase nutrient intake, improve health and decrease disease risk factors. You’ll find functional foods at all kinds of restaurants – vegan Buddha bowls to plant-based burgers and immune-boosting microgreens are just some examples – plus they may even come packed with extra nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids or calcium!
Researchers have long investigated the potential of functional foods. Current research is exploring nutrigenomics, which examines how diet interacts with genetic makeup of an individual. Such an approach could help prevent chronic diseases and optimize health benefits while simultaneously decreasing healthcare costs.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that functional foods aren’t a panacea – focusing on maintaining a balanced diet is always best and paying attention when cooking these foods can damage or reduce their nutritional value – boiling vegetables for instance can destroy many vital components that contribute to their nutrition value.
