Nutritional Science & Dietetics

Track 10. Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals

A Fusion of Nutrition and Health : Functional foods and nutraceuticals represent a rapidly growing category of food products and supplements that offer potential health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These innovative products are designed to support well-being, prevent disease, and enhance overall health by delivering specific bioactive compounds. Here's an exploration of these two closely related concepts:

Functional Foods: Functional foods are everyday food items that have been enriched or enhanced with bioactive components to offer specific health benefits. They are designed to go beyond basic nutrition and provide additional positive effects on health when consumed as part of a regular diet.

Nutraceuticals: Nutraceuticals, a portmanteau of "nutrition" and "pharmaceuticals," are dietary supplements or products containing bioactive compounds derived from food sources that offer potential health benefits. These products are typically available in various forms, including capsules, tablets, powders, and extracts.