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Functional foods: what are the benefits?
1British Nutrition Foundation, London. c.williamson@nutrition.org.uk
British Journal of Community Nursing
|June 12, 2009
Summary
Functional foods offer health benefits, with proven efficacy for some products like cholesterol-lowering spreads. However, evidence for others, such as omega-3 fatty acid foods improving brain function, is limited.
Area of Science:
- Nutritional Science
- Food Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Functional foods are products fortified with nutrients or substances for health benefits.
- Examples include probiotic yogurts, cholesterol-lowering spreads, and foods with added omega-3 fatty acids.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review popular functional foods and their health claims.
- To evaluate the scientific evidence supporting these claims.
- To consider factors like consumption amounts for health benefits.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current functional food products.
- Analysis of scientific evidence for health claims.
- Consideration of dosage and efficacy.
Main Results:
- Cholesterol-lowering spreads demonstrate proven efficacy in human trials.
- Limited evidence supports omega-3 fatty acid-enriched foods for enhancing brain function in healthy individuals.
- Consumption levels required for benefits vary and are considered.
Conclusions:
- Some functional foods have strong scientific backing for their health benefits.
- Evidence for other functional foods, particularly regarding cognitive enhancement, is currently weak.
- Further research is needed to establish efficacy and optimal intake for various functional food products.
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