A functional food is any healthy food claimed to have a health-promoting or disease- preventing property beyond the basic function of supplying nutrients.foodnutrients

What makes a food “functional” is it’s potential ability to positively affect one’s health.

 Oats  Soy  Eggs with Omega-3  fatty acids  Broccolli and other  cruciferous vegetables Reduces cholesterol Reduces cholesterol, certain cancers,heart disease Reduces heart disease High in antioxidants

 Those such as “supports the immune system” or promotes regularity”. These claims describe effects on normal functioning of the body. They do not claim that the food can prevent, treat, diagnose or cure a disease.

 ~ Do not require pre- approval by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration).  ~They cannot be false and misleading.

 ~ Typically called “Health Claims”  ~ Do require approval by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) before they can be used on a product.  ~ Must reflect scientific consensus.

 Fruits/vegetables– reduced risk of cancer  Saturated fat- increased risk of heart disease  Sodium- increased hypertension  Folic acid- reduced risk of neural tube defects  Soy- reduced heart disease