Nutraceuticals & functional foods– What are they?

There are a variety of health, nutritional and medicinal benefits that can be derived from natural foods and plant-based foods. These foods are known as nutraceuticals or functional foods. A nutraceutical is a food additive or supplement that provides health benefits to the consumer. This term was coined in 1998 by the Institute of Food Technologists. Unlike drugs, which are often contraindicated when taken chronically, there are no contraindications to consuming nutraceuticals since they have no adverse effects on the body once they've passed through it (Lissow, 2010).

What are Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods?

Nutraceuticals include a wide range of things, from vitamins and minerals to amino acids and enzymes. Functional foods, on the other hand, often contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals as well as other nutrients that are essential for human health. They are also often pre-packaged in single-serving sizes so that they can be easily consumed by individuals who may not have access to fresh fruits or vegetables.

Difference between Nutraceuticals and Functional Foods

Nutraceuticals and functional foods are both types of supplements that can be taken to improve your health. The difference between the two is that functional foods are designed to provide the body with nutrients, while nutraceuticals are designed to be taken for specific health benefits.

Functional Foods and their bioactive components

Functional foods have numerous health benefits and there are different components extracted from different sources. Here are some functional food components with their health benefits.

What are the benefits of consuming functional foods?

Functional foods are high in some important nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, fibers, and healthy fats.
Some of the benefits are: Protect against diseases.
Promotes growth and development.
Improves heart health.
Boosts immune response. There are so many benefits of including functional foods in your diet.

References: https://krishi.icar.gov.in/jspui/bitstream/123456789/71744/1/FINAL-231-250.pdf
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257668/
http://biotechjournal.in/images/paper_pdffiles/Fun-5d3196efd9d79.pdf
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/functional-foods#benefits