What are functional foods? Classification and benefits of functional foods

The phrase “functional food” in recent years has appeared popular and widespread on websites and news channels. So what exactly is “functional food”, how many types and benefits for human health? Find out in the article below!

What are functional foods?

What are functional foods?

According to Circular No. 08/2004/TT-BYT, the Ministry of Health defines the concept of functional foods as “foods used to support the functions of parts of the human body, have nutritional effects, create make the body comfortable, increase resistance and reduce the risk of disease.”

Depending on the use, content of micronutrients as well as instructions for use of the product, functional foods are also known by names such as:

• Medical nutrition products
• Food supplement
• Food supplement with micronutrients
• Food for health

Functional foods

Ordinary food

Functional foods fall into two main categories:

Common foods: Provide all-natural ingredients, especially essential nutrients for health, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and healthy fats, specifically in foods. like:

• Fruits: Berries, kiwi, pears, peaches, apples, oranges, bananas…
• Vegetables: Broccoli, kale, spinach, zucchini…
• Nuts: Almonds, cashews, macadamia nuts…
• Seeds: Chia seeds, flax seeds, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds…
• Legumes: Black beans, chickpeas, lentils…
• Whole grains: Oats, barley, buckwheat, brown rice…
• Seafood: Salmon, sardines, anchovies, mackerel, cod…
• Fermented foods: Kimchi, sauerkraut…
• Herbs and spices: Turmeric, cinnamon, ginger…
• Drinks: Coffee, green tea, black tea…

Fortified foods

Fortified foods: These are products with added vitamins, minerals, fiber, beneficial probiotics to increase health benefits for users. This category includes: Fortified fruit juices, fortified milk and nut milks, fortified cereals, etc.

Benefits of functional foods

Benefits of functional foods

Prevention of deficiency: Functional foods contain many important nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fats, etc. have the ability to supplement natural and necessary nutrients for the body. , to avoid the shortage of substances.

Disease prevention: Functional foods supplement many important nutrients, helping the body to prevent many dangerous diseases, some outstanding examples can be mentioned:

• Dietary fiber rich in dietary fiber: Helps control blood sugar better, preventing diabetes, heart disease, stroke and obesity. Fiber is also effective in promoting the digestive system to work more smoothly, effectively preventing digestive disorders.

Functional foods rich in fiber

• Omega-3-rich functional foods: Effectively reduce inflammation, improve heart health as well as brain functions.
• Antioxidant-rich functional foods: Helps block the development of free radicals, protect healthy cells, prevent cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular diseases.

Promote healthy development in children: Vitamin B9/folic acid-rich supplements such as cereals and powders have the potential to reduce the rate of neural tube defects in the fetus by 50 to 70%.

How to supplement functional foods?

How to supplement functional foods?

In order for your body to be healthy, you need to supplement with functional foods properly through a healthy and moderate diet. The daily diet should be provided with a variety of nutrient-rich foods such as green vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes …

You can fill any gap in your diet with functional foods with proper adjustments and enhancements, helping your body to absorb essential nutrients (vitamins, minerals, fiber, healthy fats, probiotics) to promote overall health.

Hopefully the above article has helped you better understand functional foods, their classification as well as their health benefits. Don’t forget to follow Tnhelearning.edu.vn to update useful information every day!

Source: Vinmec.com

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