Is the concept of functional foods new?
Food has always provided nutrients and energy necessary for survival. Food technology and improved nutrition have played critical roles in the dramatic increase in life expectancy over the past 200 years, but the impact of diet on health is much broader than basic nutrition. The term “functional food” has arisen as food and nutrition science have moved from identifying and correcting nutritional deficiencies to designing foods that promote optimal health and reduce the risk of disease.
