Functional Food

Functional foods can be defined as processed foods that offer medical or health benefits in addition to reducing the risk of disease. While there is no universal definition of functional food, their hallmark feature is their ability to prevent diseases and promote overall health, in addition to their nutritional benefits. While they are not considered curative or preventative by themselves, they can be a beneficial addition to one’s diet.

Functional foods cover a wide variety of food types and are considered to be fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods that provide health benefits beyond providing essential nutrients such as vitamins and minerals when consumed regularly as part of a varied diet at a threshold amount. These foods offer enhanced nutritional profiles that provide health benefits that go beyond basic nutrient requirements.