How Functional The Functional Foods Are?

HOW FUNCTIONAL THE FUNCTIONAL FOODS ARE?
The functional foods are miracle agent, which enhance the benefits obtained from the food.
What is functional food?
The functional foods are food which is added to enhance the functionality of the food, the function can be in terms of health promotion or disease prevention. The functionality can be enhanced by adding new ingredients or adding more of the existing ingredients present in the food.
Why there is a growing demand for functional food?
There are the following reasons for the growing demand for functional food.
• Increase in life expectancy
• Desire to improve the quality of life
• Increase the cost of health care
• Desire for improving quality of life
• The increasing problem of lifestyle-related disease

What is not functional food?
1. Superfoods
2. Medicines
3. Fortified food
4. Probiotics
5. Prebiotics
6. Plant sterols and stanols
What are the Examples of Functional foods?
 Vitamin
 Pyridoxine – beans, legumes, fish are good sources .they maintain immune system .example green beans legumes can be added to many dishes.
 Folic acid – Citrus fruit, legumes, green leafy vegetable are the sources, which prevent the pregnant mother from delivering a baby without Neural Tube Defects.
 Vitamin E – Sunflower seeds, hazelnuts, almonds are the sources. It helps to neutralize free radicals. For example- sunflower seeds can be added as the salad toppings
 Sulfides or thiols
 Diallyl sulfides, allyl methyl trisulphides- Garlic, onion, scallions are the source, It prevents detoxification. For example garlic grades can be added to the salad.
 Dithiolthiones – Cruciferous vegetables are the sources. It helps to maintain healthy immune system .Broccoli and cauliflower both are the cruciferous vegetable which can be consumed in cooked or salad form.
 Soy protein –
 Soya protein- Soybean and soya base food like milk , yogurt , cheese and tofu are the sources, it may reduce the risk of CVD. Soya milk or tofu food can be consumed.
 Carotenoids –
 Beta carotene – carrot, pumpkins, French fries are good sources. It enhance cellular anti oxidant defence. Baked potato with carrot shreds can be consumed
 Lycopene – Tomato, red/ pink grape fruits are good sources. Help to maintain prostrate health. Red, pink grape juice or tomato in salad can be consumed.
 Minerals –
 Calcium – Spinach, yoghurts, sardines are best sources. It helps to reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Example Plain yoghurt as blender can be used in daily diet.
 Selenium – Liver, egg, garlic, shrimps are best source .It helps to neutralizes free radicals. Roasted garlic with shrimps can be consumed.
 Polyols
 Sugar alcohols , xylitols ,sorbitols , lactitols- They are found in chewing gums and other food applications . It reduces risk of dental caries. We can have a sugar free chewing gum after a meal.
Functional food can have both animal and plant sources both are important to accelerate the functioning of the foods