FUNCTIONAL FOODS

Shea Teresi Nutr. 243

Overview

Learning objectives

Refresher –introduction

of functional foods,

definitions

Nutrient Density

ANDI Score

Main Functional

Components

Free Radicals

Cancer

Immune Health

Heart Health

Bone Health

Tips For Optimal Health

Questions

Quiz

Learning Objectives

1. Explain what nutrient density is

2. Explain the ANDI scale

3. List 2 Diseases and one component that

help in their risk reduction

Refresher

No standard definition

All foods are not functional

1980s

Unprocessed/ natural foods and processed, enriched and

enhanced foods

Improve or enhance

Reduce the risk of disease

Introduction of Functional Foods

Functional Foods

are processed foods containing ingredients that aid

specific bodily functions in addition to being

nutritious

Definitions

Functional foods are foods

that have a potentially

positive effect on health

beyond basic nutrition.

-Mayo Clinic

Functional foods are whole foods and fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods that have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis, at effective levels.

-Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics

Broad definition Specified definition

Nutrient Density

Measure of the amount of nutrients in a food in

comparison to its energy content (calories).

Most nutrient dense items = high nutrients, low

calories

Least nutrient dense items = high nutrients, high

calories, low nutrients, high calories.

Nutrient Density- ANDI Score

ANDI score - Aggregate Nutrient Density Index

Nutrient density

1 to 1000

Micronutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity

Effective but……..

ANDI Score

Main Functional Components

Carotenoids

Fatty Acids

Dietary Fiber

Flavonoids

Plant stanols/Sterols

Probiotics

Prebiotics

Soy protein

Sulfides/ Thiols

Vitamins

Free Radicals and Health

Free radicals

What are they?

What damage do they cause?

Diabetes

Cataracts

high blood pressure

rheumatoid arthritis

respiratory infection

Cancer

Functional Foods for Free Radical

Neutralization

Antioxidants

Flavonoids – antioxidant activities flavanols (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, myricetin) =

onions, apples, tea, broccoli

flavanones (hesperetin, naringgenin) = citrus fruits

Vitamin E sunflower seeds, almonds, hazlenuts, turnip greens,

fortified foods and beverages

Carotenoids Beta-carotene = carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, spinach

and tomatoes

Cancer

Cell division

Metastasis

Men vs women

Contributors:

Free radicals

Carcinogens

Sun exposure

Smoking

Genetics

Physical activity

Diet

Functional Foods that Fight Cancer

Dietary fibers

Wheat bran, oatmeal, apples, psyllium seed husk, beans

Carotenoids

Phyto-estrogens

Flax seeds, seeds and nuts, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower

Vitamin C

Citrus fruits, sweet red/green peppers, guava

Immune Health

Immune system disorders

Over activity

Autoimmune diseases

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Asthma

Under activity

Functional Foods for Immune Health

Probiotics Bifidobacteria = cultured dairy such as yogurt and supplemented milk

Minerals Selenium = fish, red meat, whole grains, garlic, liver, eggs

Magnesium = spinach, pumpkin seeds, enriched grains and cereals, halibut, almonds,

brazil nuts, beans

Zinc increases white blood cell count = mushrooms

Antioxidants

Heart Health

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Arteries

Atherosclerosis

Cardiovascular Disease

myocardial infarction, stroke, Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary Heart Disease

Blood, oxygen and

nutrients

LDL cholesterol (plaque)

Symptoms

Functional Foods for Heart Health

Omega-3 fatty acids

fatty fish (salmon, sardines), fortified eggs, breads, cereals, yogurt,

butter/margarine spreads, and milks

Plant sterols and stanols and soy protein

fortified dairy products, breads, margarine and beverages

naturally in nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables

Soy beans (edamame)

Soluble fiber

Oatmeal, oat bran, oat flour, barley, rye

Bone Health - Osteoporosis

Bone mineral density

Porous bones

Fragile and increased

risk of fractures and

breakage

Dowagers Hump

Functional Foods for Bone Health

Minerals – calcium and phosphorus calcium = Milk, yogurt, spinach, fortified orange juice/beverages and foods (cereals,

cereal bars, breads, waffles, etc.)

phosphorus = milk, cheese, meat, fortified breads and cereals

Vitamins – vitamin D non-food source = sunlight

fatty fish, cod liver, fortified dairy products and some breakfast cereals

Tips for optimal health!

Beware of disguised junk food

More nutrient dense the better!

Eat the rainbow! The more colorful the fruits and

vegetables in your diet, the more nutrients these

foods contain

Don’t rely solely on eating these foods

Physical activity plays a huge role in reaping the

benefits of functional foods

References

Cancer.org

WebMD

Mayo Clinic

Foodinsight.org

International Food Information Council Foundation

Journal of Food and Drug analysis

International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Nutriwatch.org

Whole Foods Market

QUESTIONS??

Quiz

1. Define nutrient density

2. True or false?

The higher the ANDI score, the lower the nutrient value

3. List 2 diseases along with a functional food

component that reduces its risk