Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Functionalism

Functionalism

William James, John Dewey, and Charles Sanders Peirce were instrumental in founding functional psychology, which draws heavily from Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. This theory suggests that individual traits, including behaviors, are adapted to their environments through natural selection. At the heart of functionalism is the concept of adaptation, meaning that a trait enhances an individual's chances of survival and reproduction.
James envisioned psychology's...

Overview of Advanced Functional Groups

Overview of Advanced Functional Groups

Functional groups are groups of atoms with specific chemical properties that occur within organic molecules and are sometimes denoted as “R”. Functional groups can “functionalize” a compound by enabling it to adopt different physical and chemical properties.
Types of Advanced Functional Groups
The table below summarizes some of the major functional groups in organic chemistry.

Introduction to Functional Groups

Introduction to Functional Groups

Functional groups are group of atoms with specific chemical properties that occur within organic molecules and sometimes denoted as “R”. Functional groups are found along the carbon backbone of macromolecules can form chains or rings of carbon atoms. Functional groups can “functionalize” a compound by enabling it to adopt different physical and chemical properties.
Types of common functional groups
The table below summarizes some of the major functional...

Overview of Functional Groups

Overview of Functional Groups

Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, certain functional groups will make a molecule hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each functional group is a unique...

Compounds Essential to Human Function

Compounds Essential to Human Function

The human body is composed of cells that are fundamentally made up of several different molecules. These molecules are essential to carry out all physiological processes in the body and are broadly classified into organic and inorganic based on their chemical structures.
Inorganic Compounds Essential to Human Functioning
Inorganic compounds essential to human functioning include water, salts, acids, and bases. These compounds are inorganic, i.e., they do not have a carbon-hydrogen bond. Water...

Functional Groups

Functional Groups

Functional groups are a group of atoms with characteristic properties, which when linked to the carbon skeleton of a molecule, alter the properties of that molecule. For example, the presence of certain functional groups on a molecule will make them hydrophilic, whereas others will make them hydrophobic. These functional groups are an indispensable part of organic chemistry and important components of biological molecules, such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Each...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

A Fresh Look at Problem Areas in Research Methodology in Nutrition.

Nutrients·2025

Same author

Making Sense of the Relationship Between Ultra-Processed Foods, Obesity, and Other Chronic Diseases.

Nutrients·2024

Same author

A Proposed Strategy against Obesity: How Government Policy Can Counter the Obesogenic Environment.

Nutrients·2023

Same author

Research strategies in nutrition in health and disease: The failure of mechanistic research.

Frontiers in nutrition·2023

Same author

The Origins of the Obesity Epidemic in the USA-Lessons for Today.

Nutrients·2022

Same author

A Comparison of Strategies to Improve Population Diets: Government Policy versus Education and Advice.

Journal of nutrition and metabolism·2020

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

A rational definition for functional foods: A perspective.

Norman J Temple¹

¹Centre for Science, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, Canada.

Frontiers in Nutrition

|October 17, 2022

Summary

The definition of functional foods needs refinement. A proposed definition emphasizes novel foods with specific health-enhancing ingredients at effective concentrations for disease prevention.

Keywords:

beyond basic nutrition functional foods healthy foods novel foods phytochemicals

More Related Videos

A Generalized Method for Determining Free Soluble Phenolic Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Cereals and Legumes

A Generalized Method for Determining Free Soluble Phenolic Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Cereals and Legumes

Published on: June 10, 2022

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Published on: November 1, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 25, 2025

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Errors as a Means of Reducing Impulsive Food Choice

Published on: June 5, 2016

A Generalized Method for Determining Free Soluble Phenolic Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Cereals and Legumes

A Generalized Method for Determining Free Soluble Phenolic Acid Composition and Antioxidant Capacity of Cereals and Legumes

Published on: June 10, 2022

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Palatable Western-style Cafeteria Diet as a Reliable Method for Modeling Diet-induced Obesity in Rodents

Published on: November 1, 2019

Area of Science:

Nutritional Science
Food Science

Background:

The term "functional foods" is widely used but lacks a clear, consistent definition.
Existing definitions often include naturally healthy foods, blurring the line with specialized products.

Purpose of the Study:

To propose a precise and scientifically sound definition for functional foods.
To differentiate functional foods from conventional healthy foods based on formulation and intended benefit.

Main Methods:

Critical analysis of existing definitions of functional foods.
Development of a new definition based on specific criteria for formulation and efficacy.

Main Results:

Current definitions are problematic, often encompassing naturally healthy foods.
A new definition is proposed: novel foods formulated with specific health-enhancing or disease-preventing substances or microorganisms at safe and effective concentrations.

Conclusions:

A refined definition is crucial for clarity and scientific rigor in the field of functional foods.
The proposed definition highlights the intentional formulation and targeted health benefits of functional foods.