What are functional foods? Functional foods, like superfoods, provide several various nutritional benefits that may assist in the treatment and prevention of certain illnesses and diseases and provide a boost to overall health. However, unlike organic and superfoods, functional foods may or may not be processed and can contain certain additives.
The History of Functional Foods
These foods are a fairly new development, cultivated in the early 1980s in Japan. As life expectancy slowly began to increase, Japan recognized that the quality of life must also be increased to control the cost of health care for the elderly.
They created foods to promote overall health and decrease the risk of certain diseases. The term was soon born to describe these food items.
In contrast to organic and superfoods, however, functional foods are often developed by enhancing the food with additional vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that will further promote the health benefits of the item.
While the overall concept and growth are relatively new, the general idea has been around for nearly a century. Within the last 100 years, the United States began adding iodine to salt, vitamin D to milk, B vitamins to flour, and several other fortification and enrichment processes to correct nutritional deficiencies and improve the public’s overall health.
However, the more recent trend is not only to prevent nutritional deficiencies but to optimize public health and disease control through the fortification of foods.
Foods Example
Since functional foods are a relatively new concept, a blurred line exists between these foods and superfoods. A universal definition of “functional foods” is yet to be agreed upon.
Superfoods that naturally contain an abundance of nutrients include a variety of fruits, vegetables, some meats, and whole grains.
In contrast, functional foods may be modified and enhanced with specific vitamins or minerals to boost the nutritional value of the food. These types of modified foods might include:
- yogurts with added cultures to assist in boosting the immune system
- eggs with added omega-3 fatty acids to increase metabolism and heart health that contain extra ingredients for assistance in losing weight
Other possible additives include:
- probiotics and prebiotics to promote gastrointestinal health
- various fibers added for a wide range of health benefits
- plant sterols included for heart health
Many antioxidants are also added to some foods to enhance overall health benefits and cancer-fighting agents.
Help for the Elderly
Functional foods can help people of all ages, but it’s especially helpful for older adults. Because they often have more health problems than younger people do, functional foods can be a great way to improve their quality of life and help them stay strong.
Functional foods can benefit the elderly in several ways. They may:
- help maintain cognitive function
- reduce inflammation
- improve bone strength
- help reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease or diabetes
Concerns
Some concerns about functional foods have arisen as this new concept steadily progresses into the lives of the public. Some scientists and researchers express concern about the line between medicine and food. Guidelines and standards for developing functional foods have yet to be set.
Conclusion
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), numerous papers have been published in scientific journals since the 1980s on functional foods and their role in a healthy lifestyle.
As our bodies age and become less efficient at performing basic tasks, it is only natural that we begin to look for ways to stay fit and active. Although FDA regulations don’t require manufacturers to label their products as functional foods, some are beginning to do so of their own accord, hoping to gain an edge over their competitors by offering a differentiated product.
