Functional Foods Flashcards
What does ‘functional foods’ mean
Food which is either whole, enriched, fortified or enhanced to have beneficial effect on health (improved wellbeing and/or reduction in risk of disease)
What are the three general categories of functional foods
Conventional - containing natural bioactive compounds
Modified - containing bioactive compounds through enrichment or fortification
Food ingredients - that are synthesised such as indigestible carbs, which provide prebiotic benefits
What are phytochemicals?
Biologically active substances found in plants in small amounts - to help them grown, defend themselves, and perform other biological functions. Phytochemicals are established as nutrients but have a synergistic effect between them and other nutrients
Give a brief overview of the main categories of phytochemicals present in plant foods (POCPAN)
Phenolics Organosulphur Compounds Carotenoids Phytosterols Alkaloids Nitrogen Containing compounds
List the 6 categories of flavonoids
Flavonols - apple sand onions Flavones - celery, parsley Flavanols - green tea, cocoa Flavanones - lemons, oranges Isoflavonoids - soy beans and products
List the three classes of phytoestrogens found in foods and give examples of each of these
isoflavones - legumes and soybeans
Ligans - high fibre foods such as whole grains, flaxseeds, berries
Coumestans - alfalfa and clover sprouts
List the most important carotenoids present in human plasma
Pro vitamin A: B-carotene, A-carotene, B-cryptoxanthin
Non-pro vitamin A: lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin
Name the two main categories of Organosulphur phytochemicals present in plant foods and give food examples for each of these categories
Glucosinolates (brassicaceae vegetables; broccoli, cabbage)
Allylic sulphur compounds (lilaceae vegetables; onion garlic)
What are prebiotics?
A selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits
Give examples of foods that are good sources of Fructooligosaccharides
Asparagus, artichokes, onion, leek, garlic
What are probiotics?
Living microorganisms , which upon ingestion in certain numbers, exert health benefits beyond inherent basic nutrition
What are antioxidants and what is oxidative stress?
- Antioxidants neutralise free radicals by donating one of their own electrons. Researchers have identified oxidative stress as a causative factor, and antioxidants as a protective factor, in the development of an array of chronic conditions.
- Oxidative stress is the increase of AOX capacity and decrease of ROS production
