Functional food: what is it and what are its benefits? - WeMystic

Functional food: what is it and what are its benefits?


Home » Natural Products Well-being
Brian Waalla
By Brian Waalla
TimeReading time: 0 min
  • Share on Whatsapp
  • Share on Telegram
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on Linkedin

Nutraceutical. For a few years now, more and more people have been talking about functional food, whether in TV reports and in newspapers, or even in advertisements for products that promise health benefits. But do you know exactly what they are, and what are they used for?

Functional food is a food or ingredient that offer health benefits in addition to their basic nutritional functions. They can, for example, reduce the risk of chronic degenerative diseases, such as cancer and diabetes, among others.

But you need to be aware that these foods don’t work like medicines. So, to achieve their benefits, it is necessary to consume them on a regular basis; include mainly vegetables, fruits and whole grains in your diet. After all, most of the studied active components are found in these foods.

What is functional food?


Despite the frequent use of this expression, there is no universal consensus on the definition. We will stick to the definition of ILSI (1998):

We consider a food to be functional if it has been satisfactorily demonstrated that it has a positive effect on one or more target functions of the organism, other than the basic dietary effects,  so as to improve health and well-being and/or to decrease the possibility of disease.

There are five ways for a product to be functional:

  1. Removing a component identified for its harmful nature on the end user (allergenic protein, for example).
  2. Increasing the concentration of a natural component in a food. The objective is to reach a concentration level capable of inducing the expected effects or by doing the same thing to a non-nutritive component, which has beneficial effects and data supporting it.
  3. Adding a component normally absent from most foods, but whose beneficial effects are sure (non-vitamin antioxidant or prebiotic fructan, for example).
  4. Replacing a component (generally a macro-nutrient) whose consumption is often excessive and therefore causes harmful effects (fats, for example), by another component with recognized beneficial effects (chicory inulin, for example).
  5. Improving the bioavailability of food components (or by modifying them) with recognized beneficial effects.

functional food

A few key words

  • Nutraceutical. Product made from food substances, but made available as a tablet, powder, potion or other medicinal form. It is usually not associated with food, and has been shown to have a physiological beneficial or protective effect against disease chronic.
  • Colonic food. A food that reaches the intestine without its digestion, often in the form of carbohydrates, and is a source of food for the gut microbiota (bacterial flora).
  • Prebiotics. Selectively act on beneficial bacterial strains in the colon and stimulate their growth.
  • Probiotics. Living microorganisms (bacteria or yeasts) with a beneficial effect on health by improving the balance of the intestinal flora.

To sum it up

Regardless of your goal (lose weight or gain muscle), look for a nutritionist to make a balanced diet for you. The internet provides several tips and recipes that can help with your diet, but it will never replace the work of a professional who has full knowledge of the subject. So don’t limit yourself to what you read here or on any other site. Always seek a specialist and good luck with your new eating habits.


You may also like:

  • Top 5 superfoods that are a must in your kitchen
  • Hemp vs. CBD: what is the difference between them
  • All you need to know about Rhodiola rosea
  • Daily Horoscope

  • Weekly Horoscope

  • Monthly Horoscope

  • Horoscope 2023

  • Chinese Horoscope

  • Birth Chart

  • Zodiac Signs

  • Moon




  • Astrological Predictions 2023
  • Popular Posts

    • 1
      7 things to do on a Sunday for a productive week
    • 2
      A beginner's guide to Bakasana
    • 3
      The most inspirational quotes by Buddha
  • pinterest logo

    WeMystic

    Get on board!

    Followpinterest logo
    Wisdom and Self-Care - WeMystic
    Astrology and Horoscope - WeMystic
    Stones, Rituals and Amulets - WeMystic

    Most popular
    of the week

    image

    How to attract money with bay leaves

    image

    Burning cinnamon for money: how to attract prosperity

    image

    Sacred codes for love: make use of them to attract love

    image

    6 Signs that money is coming

  • - Advertisement -
     

EN
  • ES
  • FR
  • PT-BR
WeMystic
  • Home
  • Astrology
    • Astrology
    • Zodiac Signs
    • Daily Horoscope
    • Weekly Horoscope
    • Your Monthly Horoscope
    • Predictions 2023 🍀
    • Chinese Horoscope
  • Esotericism
    • Esotericism
    • Baths and Cleanses
    • Stones, Rituals and Amulets
    • Numerology
    • Tarot and Palmistry
  • Spirituality
    • Spirituality
    • Chakras
    • Karma and Reincarnation
    • Dream Interpretation
    • Buddhism and Hinduism
    • Prayers, Angels and Psalms
  • Well-being
    • Well-being
    • Alternative Therapies
    • Natural Products
    • Feng Shui
    • Meditation
    • Wisdom and Self-Empowerment
    • Yoga
  • Online reading
    • Online reading
    • Gypsy Tarot Online
    • Online Tarot reading
    • Rune Reading
    • Angels Tarot
    • Online Numerology
  • WeMystic

    WeMystic is an information site and its content is not of scientific rigor. All prices and characteristics of the products presented are valid as of the date of publication of the content and may be changed without prior notice. The process of buying and / or using the products mentioned herein is entirely the responsibility of the user and the company responsible for the marketing of the product.


  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
© 2022 WeMystic - Made by us, with ♥
  • Home
  • Astrology
    • Astrology
    • Zodiac Signs
    • Daily Horoscope
    • Weekly Horoscope
    • Your Monthly Horoscope
    • Predictions 2023 🍀
    • Chinese Horoscope
  • Esotericism
    • Esotericism
    • Baths and Cleanses
    • Stones, Rituals and Amulets
    • Numerology
    • Tarot and Palmistry
  • Spirituality
    • Spirituality
    • Chakras
    • Karma and Reincarnation
    • Dream Interpretation
    • Buddhism and Hinduism
    • Prayers, Angels and Psalms
  • Well-being
    • Well-being
    • Alternative Therapies
    • Natural Products
    • Feng Shui
    • Meditation
    • Wisdom and Self-Empowerment
    • Yoga
  • Online reading
    • Online reading
    • Gypsy Tarot Online
    • Online Tarot reading
    • Rune Reading
    • Angels Tarot
    • Online Numerology
  • WeMystic
Cookies