The basic function of nutrients is to provide the substances our body needs. However, in addition to carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the functioning of our body, foods also contain components that have positive effects on our health. Changing eating habits to include more fruits, vegetables and grain groups is a practical approach to preventing chronic diseases. It is emphasized that with such an approach, the number of cancer cases in the USA can be reduced by one third.
Functional foods are foods that, in addition to their nutritional properties, provide physiological benefits for our body and/or have health-improving and well-being-enhancing properties that can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. It is defined as . Functional foods reduce the risk of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, high blood pressure, cholesterol, sugar and ulcers. They do this by being beneficial to the immune, nervous, hormonal, respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems and the basic physiology of the individual.
Foods defined as functional may naturally contain health-promoting components or can be improved through enrichment or by removing harmful compounds. Breast milk is the best known functional food. In addition, probiotics and prebiotics provide important benefits for the digestive and immune system. Eggs and milk rich in Omega 3, whole grain cereals, milk enriched in vitamin D, salt with reduced sodium content are among the functional foods we can easily find in the market.
Rich in monounsaturated fatty acids, it protects against cardiovascular diseases and cancer. olive oil, which has protective effects, pomegranate, which prevents arteriosclerosis and has protective effects against prostate cancer, green tea, which prevents cardiovascular diseases and cancer types due to its antioxidant properties, tomatoes, which protect against cancer due to the substance called lycopene in its content, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure and prevents cancer. Garlic, which is known to have protective effects, yoghurt and kefir, which strengthen the digestive and immune system thanks to the probiotics and prebiotics it contains, green vegetables, which are effective in maintaining visual function due to their lutein content, reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer. Wheat bran, which contains insoluble fibers that provide weight loss, oily fish that are a source of omega 3, which has protective effects against cardiovascular diseases and is effective in regulating mental and visual functions, dates, which are known to play an active role in protecting against cardiovascular diseases and cancer and have protective properties against infections. Flaxseed, which has been proven by recent studies to protect the heart and be effective against cancer, soy, which is used to prevent diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer types and osteoporosis, and dark chocolate, which has positive effects on heart health due to its rich polyphenol content, are some of the foods that can be described as functional.
Functional foods, whose balanced and regular consumption prevents many diseases, especially cancer and cardiovascular diseases, and contributes to the development of health and well-being, should not be described as a magic bullet. It should be known that they help reduce the risk of disease but are not therapeutic. It should not be forgotten that they should be consumed in a balanced way in order to benefit from their positive effects.
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