There are many foods that can satisfy your hunger, they taste delicious and provide basic nutrients that we need to survive. Then there are foods that go further, these are functional foods. Functional eating is one of the food trends today. They are generally defined as any food that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
Benefits of functional nutrition
Functional eating includes a wide variety of different types of foods, including:
- Conventional foods
- Fortified, fortified or improved foods.
- Dietary supplements
However, the trend for functional foods is more focused on everyday natural foods that can also fight disease or improve health, also called organic foods, which allow to strengthen immunity and offer protection against the development of diseases Chronicles.
Examples of such foods include:
- Oatmeal , which contains beta glucan, a type of fiber that can reduce the risk of heart disease.
- Soy , a protein that can help prevent or fight heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis, and symptoms associated with menopause.
- Garlic , which is associated with numerous benefits, including cancer prevention, antibiotic properties, and lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Tomatoes , which contain a carotenoid called lycopene, which can reduce the risk of cancer.
- Broccoli and other cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, watercress, and Brussels sprouts. These have properties that prevent cancer.
- Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits. These are rich in vitamin C, which helps prevent scurvy – a disease caused by vitamin C deficiency. They can also help prevent different cancers.
- Blueberries , which when consumed as juice, help with urinary tract infections.
- Wine and grapes, which appear to reduce the risk of heart disease.
The best functional foods
There is an infinite variety of functional foods that you can buy in an eco store , which are shops specialized in the sale of this type of products, where they also inform you about the benefits and properties of organic foods.
Many of these products include anthocyanins , they are natural red, blue, and purple pigments found in berries and carrots, potatoes, cabbage, and other fruits and vegetables.
Anthocyanins are antioxidants that:
- They act as anti-inflammatory agents.
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve memory
- Slowly digest starch to help keep blood glucose low after meals
- They help to have better night vision
On the other hand, within the diet it works, we find foods that are rich in long-chain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s work as anti-inflammatories and help lower blood pressure and improve mood.
Sources of omega-3s include fish such as salmon, tuna, herring, mackerel, and sardines . Another good source is single-celled algae, which offers vegans access to the two most important omega-3s, EPA and DHA.
Others are made up of dietary fiber that serve as prebiotics , as they are good food sources for probiotic bacteria that support our immune system and help regulate cholesterol levels.
