What are functional foods & biofunctional foods and how do they benefit our health?
The term functional foods is used to describe foods or food components that provide health benefits beyond meeting basic nutritional needs.
Functional and biofunctional foods are highly nutritious
In recent years, functional foods have been gaining increasing popularity because consumers consciously choose and are informed about the benefits of nutrition. Today, the science of nutrition has advanced from the classical concepts of avoiding nutrient deficiencies and basic dietary adequacy to the concept of “positive” or “optimal” nutrition. The goal of research has shifted more towards identifying biologically active components in foods that have the potential to improve physical and mental health and may also reduce the risk of diseases.
Functional and biofunctional foods are highly nutritious and are associated with a range of powerful health benefits. For example, they may protect against diseases or even delay their onset, prevent nutrient deficiencies in the body, and promote proper development and overall well-being.
In this article, we will explore the definition, benefits, and possible uses of functional and biofunctional foods.
What are functional foods and biofunctional foods?
The concept of functional foods originated in Japan in the 1980s. At that time, health authorities in Japan recognized that the increasing life expectancy of the population should be accompanied by an improved quality of life, thus limiting healthcare costs. The concept of foods developed specifically to promote health or reduce the risk of diseases was introduced.
Functional foods are defined as those foods intended to be consumed as part of the normal diet and include bioactive components that offer enhanced health benefits and meet nutritional needs or reduce the risk of diseases. They are similar in taste, smell, and appearance to regular foods but are fortified with various additional ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, dietary fibers, probiotics, etc., or have harmful components removed, such as saturated fats.
Biofunctional foods, which are a category of functional foods, are those foods that are not laboratory-made, meaning no additional ingredients have been added, and they provide all their health benefits and nutritional components naturally. The etymology of the word “bio” + “functional” refers to the bioactive components contained in these foods in significant quantities, providing health benefits beyond basic nutritional requirements.
Functional foods, as well as biofunctional foods, may contain specific minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, dietary fibers, antioxidants, probiotics, etc., and carry health claims on their labels following studies. A common and easy example of functional foods is juices enriched with additional vitamins or foods that lower cholesterol levels.
Why do we need functional and biofunctional foods?
As early as the 4th century BC, Hippocrates taught: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.”
The continuous support from the scientific community regarding the significant role of food in disease prevention, along with research confirming this, has helped spread awareness and foster the study of functional foods in Europe. Consequently, consumers are increasingly interested in the relationship between good health and nutrition. There is now recognition among consumers that they can help themselves and their families reduce the risk of diseases and maintain health and well-being through a healthy diet.
Additionally, demographic trends worldwide and socioeconomic changes highlight the need for foods with additional health benefits. The increase in life expectancy, leading to a rise in the number of elderly individuals and a desire for improved quality of life in the future from younger ages, as well as the increase in healthcare expenditures, have encouraged governments, researchers, healthcare professionals, and the food industry to explore how these changes can be managed more effectively.
Thus, the valuable purpose of functional and biofunctional foods, through the study and recognition of their advantages, is to improve health, reduce the risk of diseases, or delay the onset of serious illnesses such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoporosis. In combination with a healthy lifestyle, this category of foods can positively contribute to health and overall well-being.
Real Greek Dairies, following studies, has introduced to the market and made available to consumers the “Zoe Family” product from the “Zoe means life” series. It is a biofunctional food in powder form, capable of making health claims on its labels due to its composition, thus making it a valuable daily food for the whole family.
In addition to the nutritional ingredients it provides:
• It boosts the immune system.
• It contributes to a healthy nervous system.
• It helps bones to develop and maintain their health.
• And it offers high protein content.
It is a source of magnesium, thiamine, biotin, and pantothenic acid.
Furthermore, it provides high content of riboflavin, vitamin B12, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium.
Zoe Family is a natural powdered food made from concentrated goat whey protein and goat milk. It contains no additives or preservatives. It is a 100% Greek product manufactured in the Real Greek Dairies factory and is suitable for children over 2 years old and adults. You can consume it daily as a drink or as an ingredient in various recipes, such as smoothies.
At Real Greek Dairies, we are proud to offer our consumers products that contribute to physical and psychological health after years of research. We have managed to bring the purity and richness of Greek nature to your glass and meals. Our goal is to create more products in the Zoe means life series in the near future that will also contribute to the health and well-being of our consumers, always maintaining the timeless quality of Real Greek Dairies and the entire Hellenic Protein S.A. group.
* All texts on realgreekdairies constitute informative content aimed at informing and promoting a healthy lifestyle in conjunction with a balanced diet. For specific cases and additional advice, it is advisable to always consult your doctor or nutritionist.
