Every day we eat a variety of food, we saturate your body with nutrients and energy. And do not think about the fact that the products we use can not only support our life activity, but also strengthen health, and in some cases, treat. This is just what teaches us functional nutrition.
What is Functional Food
In simple words, functional nutrition is a healthy food, thanks to which the human body receives only useful substances, as well as the necessary biologically active components that help restore health, increase and maintain immunity, restore the spent energy of the body, improve the performance of allsystems of the body.
The term "functional foods" was first introduced in Japan, in 1989, when a national nutrition improvement program was adopted. According to the views of Japanese scientists, functional nutrition should really help in resolving serious problems related to the health of the population. This concept is a kind of alternative to drug therapy.
In this law, the Japanese identified 5 categories of functional products:
- dry milk for pregnant and lactating women;
- milk powder for a special prescription for infants;
- products for seniors who are difficult to chew and swallow;
- special foods for patients;
- products for special health food.
The first four groups are quite specific, the majority of "ordinary" people are recommended the fifth. About it we will talk in more detail
The use of functional nutrition by modern man in most cases is associated with a change in its physical activity, its decrease, and at times. Leading a sedentary lifestyle behind computers, in offices, a person spends a small amount of energy. Accordingly, in comparison with past generations, we require consumption of less food, and consequently, our body receives less useful substances. Increased food intake, when combined with low motor activity, promotes weight gain. Therefore, to switch to nutrition based on functional products in modern living conditions is simply necessary.
What is the feature of such products?
All functional products do not contain any chemical dyes and preservatives, they are extremely natural. These products do not need long-term heat treatment. They are able to provide the entire daily requirement of the body for energy, in biologically active and other useful substances.
Functional products come in two forms: foods that are specifically vitaminized, enriched with minerals and other valuable substances( eg, apple juice, enriched with calcium) and ready-made foods( nature gifts, such as broccoli).The products are enriched in the first place:
- probiotics;
- with lactic acid bacteria;
- with vitamins and trace elements;
- with dietary fiber;
- bioflavonoids;
- with antioxidants;
- essential amino acids.
Functional products include, in particular:
- dairy products enriched with probiotics;
- bakery products, soups and cereals with the addition of vitamins and microelements;
- vitaminized drinks and cocktails;
- special sports nutrition.
From natural, ready-made products, practically all vegetables, fruit and berries can be referred to functional ones, but only grown in natural, environmentally friendly conditions.
The results of the transition to functional nutrition are felt very soon. There is lightness, the state of health improves, immunity is strengthened, the metabolism and the functioning of the whole organism are normalized, normal body weight is restored.
Disadvantages of
Due to the fact that the concentration of various additives and biologically active substances in functional products is quite high, with the constant use of such products, there is a risk of overdose of certain components, which does not at all benefit your health. It is important to pay special attention to the balance of such nutrition.
The cost of these products is quite high, and a full-fledged functional food may simply not be affordable for the average Russian. In addition, counterfeits are often found on the shelves of our stores, which at best will be useless. Therefore, when purchasing products of functional nutrition, it is necessary to carefully study the label, especially what is written on it in the smallest type.