[Current trends in nutrition]

The energy delivered by food is involved in the maintaining of the homeostasis and in the electromechanical activities that define life. The energy expenditure include basal metabolism, thermogenesis and the energy required for the physical activity. Functional food extends over providing the nutrients into playing important physiological roles into the organism. The recommendations are to increase the consumption of fruits, vegetables and whole grains in order to reduce the risk for degenerative diseases and cancer.