Functional foods examples

Dietary fibre, which comprises all the non-digestible structural carbohydrates of plant cell walls and any associate lignin, provides a further example of a complex food-borne factor which cannot be classified as a nutrient, and which continues to generate debate over such issues as definition and analytical techniques. However, whatever the unresolved complexities, dietary fibre has a lengthy history and had proved itself eminently suitable as a component of functional food products long before the term was even coined. 

A noteworthy point is that in certain cases, it is convenient to speak in terms of function. For example, the main function of the plastic film is to keep the food fresh for a specific duration of time. In cases where a comparative study is commissioned, and alternatives are required, the function definition is important to clearly state what the product is meant to do, so alternatives can be sought. 

The use of self-assembling peptides is also explored beyond the medical, pharmaceutical, or cosmetics industry. Areas of interest are among others functional foods, electronics, functional coatings, and catalysis (but different from enzyme research). As an example, peptides can be designed to switch from a random coil-like primary structure organization into an a-helix or [3-sheet secondary structure with unique properties. Short peptides align to form [3-sheet tapes with different functionalities, for example, hydrophilic and hydrophobic on either side of the tape to form monolayer coatings (Boden et al., 1996). 

Most of the available Echinacea preparations could be incorporated into food systems to create a functional food. Teas, beverages, and confections, for example, have been targeted as delivery agents of Echinacea phytochemicals in food systems (Wills et al., 2000). The use of Echinacea as a component in functional foods has come under fire because Echinacea is not considered... 

Echinacea is sold as a dietary supplement in the United States and as a natural health product in Canada. However, Health Canada does support the use of Echinacea in food products thus functional foods could be developed for the Canadian market. In the United States and Canada, there are no restrictions on the species/varieties used in products. In Germany and many European countries, Echinacea products are sold as drugs in pharmacies (Bauer, 2000). In addition, not all products are approved for use in all countries. For example, E. purpurea aerial parts and E. pallida roots are approved in Germany whereas E. angustifolia and E. purpurea roots are not (Blumenthal, 1998). 

Some additives clearly serve an important function. Preservatives help to prevent food from spoiling and enable processed food to be stored for much longer. They reduce the likelihood of bacterial contamination in the food we eat. Sodium nitrite is added to cured meat, for example, to prevent the growth of organisms like Clostridium botulinum, which causes severe toxicity, botulism (see pp. 249-51). Preservatives also reduce chemical degradation and so allow food to have a longer shelf life. Other additives may also have a beneficial function, for example artificial sweeteners reduce the sugar intake of people who suffer from diabetes or obesity. 

Recent developments in the area of oils and fats has led to the production of specialty lipids from novel sources such as fruit seeds, nuts, and other minor plant sources. In addition, preparation of structured lipids for a myriad of applications has been of interest. Minor components of oils and fats may be isolated during processing and used as nutraceutical and functional food ingredients. Examples are lecithin, phytosterols, tocopherols, and tocotrienols, among others. Obviously, the health-promoting potential of such products is also of interest. 

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food, stated Hippocrates 2,500 years ago, a statement that was never more apparent than it is now. From physicians and nutritionists to governments and consumers, there is increasing interest in learning how specific foods and their nutrients can improve and sustain health. An example of a functional food is calcium-fortified orange juice, which contains added calcium to enhance bone health, cell activities in many organs, and other roles in normal body functions. Another example is soy milk fortified with multiple nutrients. 

The functional food concept constitutes a worldwide trend. That it is viewed very differently in the USA, Europe and Asia is clearly evident from the fact that there is no universally accepted definition of the term functional food . The following are some examples of the international definitions of functional food . 

Once the benefits of a key component in food are documented, the challenge is to increase its concentration, and presumably its benefits, while maintaining safety. For example, isoflavones in soy are phytoestrogens with a chemical structure similar to estrogen. Isoflavones may reduce cholesterol, but what is the risk of increasing the intake of a compound that may modulate estrogens Knowledge of the toxicity of functional food components is crucial to improve their benefit-risk ratio. The efforts... 

Structure/function claims state that a product may affect the structure or function of the body (e.g., calcium builds strong bones, antioxidants maintain cell integrity, fiber maintains bowel regularity), but may not claim that a therapy can prevent or cure a disease (e.g., alleviates constipation). Traditional nutrients refers to vitamins and minerals considered essential to the diet and/or to correct a classical nutritional deficiency disease. For example, foods containing vitamin C to correct scurvy or vitamin D to alleviate rickets are not functional foods. However, soy, w hich contains soy protein and is associated with a reduced cardiovascular risk, is a functional food. 

Table 2 Examples of functional foods, their key components, and potential health benefits...

Table 3 Examples of products marketed or planned to be marketed as functional foods by pharmaceutical companies...

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