Functional Foods

As nutrition research advances, scientists continue to find new compounds that play an active role in our overall well-being. Though these compounds don’t contribute to nutrition since they aren’t digested, they do appear to fight disease and promote proper body function. For instance, antioxidants are molecules contained in some foods that interact with and limit the damage caused by free radicals, charged molecules that can harm DNA and cell membranes.

Foods containing helpful compounds such as antioxidants are called functional foods because they’re useful in treating or preventing specific bodily conditions and illnesses.

The following table lists the most popular functional food compounds, their sources, and their possible health benefits. Not all of the health benefits these foods provide have been scientifically proven, however. Foods that make definitive health claims must receive FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approval. Functional food compounds that have received FDA approval for their health benefits are marked with the phrase “FDA approved” below.