Food for Health Barbara H. Ingham Assistant Professor Extension Food Scientist

Food for Health Pharmacy FoodsPharmacy Foods Medical FoodsMedical Foods Functional FoodsFunctional Foods

Functional Food A food product that has been clinically shown to maintain human health or to promote human well-being better than similar traditional foods

Functional Foods Foods and ingredients that may play a role in optimal health

Phytochemicals Medical edibles from plants

Medicinal agents from plants 25% pharmaceutical agents are extracted from plants25% pharmaceutical agents are extracted from plants 3.2 billion people use plants as primary source of medicine3.2 billion people use plants as primary source of medicine Can food plants be used to prevent or fight disease?Can food plants be used to prevent or fight disease?

Plant-based Products Cancer Fighting Foods Broccoli, garlic, onionsBroccoli, garlic, onions SoySoy TeaTea Tomatoes and tomato sauceTomatoes and tomato sauce Spinach and kaleSpinach and kale CranberriesCranberries

Sulfur-Containing Foods (Allium Compounds- Sulforaphane) Garlic and Onions Broccoli

Sulforaphane Healing Benefits: Inhibit cancer cells, lower cholesterol, protect against heart diseaseHealing Benefits: Inhibit cancer cells, lower cholesterol, protect against heart disease Suggested Amount:Suggested Amount:  1-2 garlic cloves a day  Let garlic stand for 10 minutes before heating

Soy Phytoestrogens and Isoflavones

Levels of Phytoestrogens mg/kg Green beans, fresh, raw2 Lima beans, raw, dry15 Green split peas, dry73 Alfalfa sprouts47 Soybeans340 Tofu150 Soy flour230

SOY  Decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancer  Decreased atherosclerosis  Lower blood cholesterol  4 oz tofu; 8 oz soy milk per day

Green Tea (catechins) Protective effects against cancer and heart disease

Green Tea- antioxidants Fluoride- prevention of tooth decayFluoride- prevention of tooth decay Caffeine- less than coffeeCaffeine- less than coffee Phytochemicals- stop the activity of cell- damaging free radicalsPhytochemicals- stop the activity of cell- damaging free radicals Dark chocolate too!Dark chocolate too! Suggested amount-Suggested amount- 1 cup of tea/day 1 cup of tea/day

Tomato-Based Products Lycopene: Providing the red color in tomato products, and cancer protection too!

Lycopene Content of Foods mg/100 g wet wt Tomatoes, fresh2.0 Tomatoes, canned3.7 Tomato sauce6.2 Tomato paste Tomato juice Pizza sauce13 Ketchup12 Grapefruit, pink4 Watermelon5

Lycopene- antioxidant Protection against breast cancer, cancer of the GI tract, and skin cancerProtection against breast cancer, cancer of the GI tract, and skin cancer Protection against cardiovascular diseaseProtection against cardiovascular disease Suggested amount: 10 servings per weekSuggested amount: 10 servings per week

Spinach and Kale (Lutein)  Food sources: kale, spinach, collards  Antioxidant that filters UV rays  May protect against cataracts and macular degeneration  May protect against colon cancer  Suggested amount: ½ C cooked greens or 2 C. raw per day

Lutein-Rich Vegetables Vegetable*Lutein (mg/100g) Raw carrot0.26 Kale21.9 Raw spinach10.0 Broccoli1.90 Green peas1.70 Leaf lettuce1.80 Collard greens16.3 * Also in oranges, celery, tomatoes.

Cranberries (Anthocyanins) Protection against heart diseaseProtection against heart disease Protection against age-related mental declineProtection against age-related mental decline Less pain and inflammation of diseases like arthritis and goutLess pain and inflammation of diseases like arthritis and gout Foods: berries, cherries, grapesFoods: berries, cherries, grapes Suggested amount: 1 pintSuggested amount: 1 pint

Margarine (Over-the-Top Functional Food) Benecol and Take ControlBenecol and Take Control –Stanol and sterol ester-based (plant-based ‘cholesterol’) 50% of the population has high cholesterol50% of the population has high cholesterol –10% reduction in serum cholesterol in 2 weeks –Block absorption of LDL in the blood –May reduce risk of CHD –Additional benefit if used w/ medication Recommended: 2 servings/dayRecommended: 2 servings/day

Animal-Based Products Cancer Fighting Foods YogurtYogurt CLACLA Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Yogurt- the ultimate functional food Probiotics- products that contain health-promoting bacteriaProbiotics- products that contain health-promoting bacteria Lactic acid bacteria- slow or prevent the initiation of tumorsLactic acid bacteria- slow or prevent the initiation of tumors

Yogurt CalciumCalcium ProteinProtein B vitaminsB vitamins MineralsMinerals (Bacterial supplements have none of these added benefits)

CLA- Conjugated Linoleic Acid One of the most potent naturally occurring anti-carcinogensOne of the most potent naturally occurring anti-carcinogens A component of animal fatA component of animal fat Found in dairy products and meatFound in dairy products and meat Suppresses heart disease in rabbitsSuppresses heart disease in rabbits

CLA Physiological Effects: Animals eat lessAnimals eat less Increased body proteinIncreased body protein Decreased body fatDecreased body fat (re-partitioning agent) (re-partitioning agent)

CLA- Downside Risks Associated with fatty foodsAssociated with fatty foods Link to cholesterolLink to cholesterol Association of some fats and cancer(?)Association of some fats and cancer(?)

Safety of Functional Foods Complicated inter-play between bioactive compounds and other substancesComplicated inter-play between bioactive compounds and other substances Lack of research on some ingredientsLack of research on some ingredients Supplements vs foodsSupplements vs foods