Functional foods

• functional foods: a functional food is a food that provides health benefits beyond those provided by the basic nutrients (macronutrients and micronutrients), these are either naturally occurring or added during manufacturing
• natural functional food:

  A food that naturally contains beneficial substances other than the essential food nutrients. This includes dietary fibre and phytochemicals
• fortified functional food:

  the addition of extra nutrients to a food that already has the nutrient present. for example; making it stronger or to replace a nutrient that would already be in the product but the processing of the food removed the nutrient
• Modified functional food:

  altering or modifying a food product by adding or removing a specific nutrient intended to improve the nutritional or sensory appeal.
• phytoestrogens:

  have similar functions and chemical properties to the human hormone oestrogen. They play a role in the prevention of chronic disease or prevention of osteoporosis via lowering cholesterol levels.
• antioxidants:

  complement body defence systems, have a role in preventing or postponing aging, arthritis, heart disease and cancer. role is to prevent damage to body’s cells by acting as a scavenger of free radicals.
• probiotics:

  are live health promoting bacterial cultures. are believed to aid in gastro-intestinal disorders, such as constipation or inflammatory bowel disease.
• prebiotics:

  are non-digestible fibre compounds that pass through the upper part of the digestive tract. they stimulate growth of beneficial bacteria found in the large intestine.
• plant sterols:

  plant sterols inhibit the absorption of cholesterol through the small intestine, helps cholesterol pass through the body rather than being absorbed in the blood stream.
• omega 3:

  omega 3 reduced formation of blood clots, helps to correct impaired flood vessel function. aids in the development of central nervous system in babies before birth. assists in brain function
• calcium enriched:

  assists to reduce the risks of osteoporosis or rickets. aid bone development and function. aids in the formation of teeth.