EXPLORING VARIETY WITH VEGETABLES
December 7, 2023
You probably must have heard of the term ‘functional foods’. But what really are they?
All foods are functional to some extent because every food provides specific nutrients that perform particular functions, and has a unique taste and aroma. Although there is no generally accepted definition of functional foods, several definitions have been proposed by some institutions and organizations.
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has defined functional foods as foods that contain, in addition to nutrients, other components that may be beneficial to health. The Mayo Clinic defines functional foods as foods that have a potentially positive effect on health beyond basic nutrition.
These definitions notwithstanding, the definition of functional foods continues to be discussed and updated.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has explained that functional foods cover a variety of foods including minimally processed, whole foods along with fortified, enriched or enhanced foods. These foods generally have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed on a regular basis and at certain levels.
Examples of functional foods include beans, berries, unsalted nuts, spices, seeds, some teas and oily fish such as herrings and salmon.
Have you been thinking about improving your diet for a healthier lifestyle? Click here to contact a dietitian.
This article was written by Esime Theresa W. Agordjor (BSc, RD) with contributions from Laurene Boateng (PhD, RD).
References
https://www.eatright.org/health/wellness/healthful-habits/functional-foods
Temple N. J. (2022). A rational definition for functional foods: A perspective. Frontiers in nutrition, 9, 957516. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2022.957516
