Functional Foods - Hammerstedt, Amy E.
Transcription
Functional Foods - Hammerstedt, Amy E.
Functional Foods: What Ro~eDo They Play in Your Diet? Have you ever eaten broccoli? Odds are that you have, but you may not have known that you were eating a functional food. In fact, somepeople have even called broccoli a superfood. Although there isn't a legal definition for either of these terms, a commonly used definition , @ for a functional food is one that has fight heart disease, aid in diminishing joint pain, prevent memory loss, and help them keep their eyesight healthy.n {t~. . and beta-glucan, it is called a phytochemical (phyto = plant). If it is de~ Whal: Are 'the Benefits rived from animals it is called a Jr of lFunci:ionaD foods? zoochemical (zoo = animal). Hearthealthy, omega-3 fatty acids, found in Functional foods are being used by health care professionals to thwart patients' been shown to have a positive effect on fatty fish such as salmon and sardines, chronic diseases and, in some situations, your health beyond its basic nutrients ("superfood" is a more trendy term often are considered zoochemicals. The accompanying table provides a list of cur- as an economical way to treat a disease, For example, many doctors send their used in the media to highlight that a food has functional and healthy properties)? rently known compounds in foods that have been shown to provide positive patients to a registered dietitian (RD) for diet advice to treat specific medical con- Broccoli is a functional food because it is health benefits, Manufacturers are promoting foods containing naturally occur- ditions, such as an elevated blood cholesterollevel, rather than automatically ring phytochemicals and zoochemicals and have also begun fortifying other food prescribing cholesterol-lowering medication. Eating a diet that contains a sub- products with these compounds. You can stantial amount of cholesterol-lowering buy margarine with added plant sterols and a cereal with the soluble fiber, psyl- oats or plant sterols is less expensive, and often more appealing, than taking rich in beta-carotene, which, in addition to being a key source of vitamin A, helps protect your cells from damaging substances that can increase your risk of some chronic diseases, such as heart disease, In other words, the betacarotene's function goes beyond its basic nutritional role as a source of vitamin A, because it may also help fight heart disease. Broccoli is also a cruciferous veg'----'" If the beneficial compound in the food is derived from plants, such as in the case of beta-carotene, isothiocyanates, etable, which, along with cauliflower and brussels SPI'outS,is part of the cabbage family, These vegetables contain compounds such as isothiocyanates, which may also be "super" at fighting cancer, Oats are also a functional food and sometimes also referred to as a superfood, because they contain the soluble fiber beta-glucan, which has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels. This can ~playa positive role in lowerinq the risk for heart disease.s functional foods Foods that have a positive effect on health beyond providing basic nutrients, phytochemicals costly prescription medication. Ideally, the RD, who is trained in the area of nutrition, can recommend the addition of functional (see table), foods to the diet based on the person's own medical history and nutritional Are People BUlfung Functional Foods? needs, Yes, people are buying them. Americans spent more than $31 billion in 2008 on functional foods and beverages, and the market is predicted to grow to more than $40 billion through 2013 as more consumerstake a self-care approach to their health.? In one survey of 1,OOO-plusAmerican adults, more than 55 percent were changing the types of foods they eat in order to improve their health."? Baby boomers, Plant chemicals that have been shown to reduce the risk of certain diseases such as cancer and heart disease, Beta-carotene chemicaL zoochemlcets lium, which both help to lower blood cholesterollevels, as well as pasta and eggs that have had omega-3 fatty acids added Compounds is a phyto- in ani- mal food products that are beneficial to human health. Omega-3 fatty acids are an example of zoochernicals. in particular - the generation of people born between 1946 and 1964 - are eager not only to live longer than their parents, but also, to live better. They are turning to functional foods to However, problems can arise when consumers haphazardly add functional foods to their diets. This Compound Found in This/These Functional Food(s) May Have This Health Benefit Beta-carotene Carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, broccoli Functions as an antioxidant in the body Lycopene Tomatoes, tomato sauce May lower risk of prostate cancer Soy protein Tofu, soy milk Lowers risk of heart disease Beta-glucan Oatmeal, oats, oat bran Lowers blood cholesterol Plant sterol and stano I esters Fortified margarines, like Benecol spreads Omega-3 fatty acids Salmon, sardines, tuna Whole grains ~ 1.V Whole-wheat bread, .• ..:-1" {-, Lowers blood cholesterol ;f,;, -',yr.'i>', ,:v".1: .. May reduce the risk of heart disease 1': ~: ~''''t..:t~~.c May reduce the risk of some cancers "j:~~s::~.lx·~L:;;'~} brown rice, popcorn Flavanols Dark chocolate, green apples Anthocyanins Berries, red grapes, cherries Act as antioxidants, may contribute to brain function Probiotics Active cultures in fermented dairy products Supports intestinal health .' ,-' ~ May contribute to heart health such as yogurt Source: Adapted from IFIC, Functional Foods, Available at www.ific.org. Accessed April 2010. priately about how much of such a food to consume. Finally, while functional What Concerns Are Associated with Functional Foods? With so many labeling claims now adorn- foods do convey health benefits, they are not magic elixirs that can negate a poor enhanced water, can have more calories and added sugar than cola.t- How to Use Functional Foods ing products on supermarket shelves, diet. The best way to use functional foods consumers have an array of enhanced functional foods from which to choose, is as part of a healthy diet that can help Functional foods can be part of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Keep in mind that prevent adverse health conditions from' occurring in the first place. As with most dietary substances, vegetable oils, lean meat and dairy products, fish, and poultry all contain varying Having so many options can be confusing, Consumers often cannot tell if a pricey whole grains, fruits, vegetables, healthy box of cereal with added "antioxidants problems may arise if too much is con- amounts of naturally occurring phyto- to help support the immune system" is sumed. For example, whereas consuming really better than an inexpensive breakfast of oatmeal and naturally antioxidant_ rich orange juice. There is also a concern some omega-3 fatty acids can help reduce the risk of heart disease, consuming chemicals and zoochemicals and are the quintessential functional foods, If you that after eating a bowl of this antioxidant-enhanced cereal, consumers may think they are "off the hook" about eating healthfully the rest of the day. Often, more than one serving of a functional food is needed to reap the beneficial too much can be problematic for people on certain medications or for those at risk for a specific type of stroke.12 A person . can unknowingly overconsume a dietary compound if his or her diet contains many different functional foods en- effect of the food compound, but the hanced with the same compound. Also, functional beverages, such consumer hasn't been educated appro- as herbal beverages or vitamin- consume other, packaged functional foods, take care not to overconsume any one compound. Seek out an RD for sound nutrition advice on whether you would benefit from added functional foods, and, if so, how to balance them in your diet. -_Functional Foods: What Role 00 They Play in Your Diet? ,---}- Read the "article" and complete the following tasks. Task A-Answer in complete sentences the following questions. You may answer these 1. What food is introduced 2. 3. 4. What is a functional food? How does the media "define" a functional food? What are the two nutrients that have "super" function in broccoli? as a "super food"? 5. 6. 7. individual eating it? Cruciferous vegetables include ..... and are part of the family. These vegetables contain what compound that is known to help fight what illness? Phytochemical is to plant as is to animal. 8. 9. Manufacturers are now doing what with these "super foods"? How much money has been spent on such foods and beverages? How do they benefit the 10. What are the baby boomers looking for in these functional foods besides living longer? Task B-Reading from "What Are the Benefits of Functional Foods?" on ... take a few of your own notes and develop two good questions and record your proposed answers. Your questions should not reflect anyone else's. Nutrition in the Real World: Functional Foods: What Role Do They Play in Your Diet?