Functional foods and nutraceuticals are products that are claimed to have a health-promoting or disease-preventing effect – such as from cancer, microbes, aging, and heart disease – apart from providing nutritional support. Saturated with essential nutrients these products are intended to enhance particular functions of the body. In many cases, they include such active substances as probiotics, antioxidants, or omega-3s. Functional food sales are on the rise because consumers are seeking not only food that can fulfill their hunger but also provide additional benefits.
