According to the International Food Information Council, or IFIC, functional foods are "foods or dietary components that may provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition." Basic nutrition must supply essential nutrients such as calories, protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals to ensure proper growth and development. Some foods, however, may offer extra benefits for health independent of their essential nutrients content. Probiotic is one of such food components that may have potential to improve health by interacting with the gastrointestinal tract.
Probiotic Background
Noble Prize-winning scientist Eli Mechnikoff first observed and described the positive effects of fermented milk products on overall health status of peasants of rural Bulgaria. The term "probiotic" came later, in 1965, and was derived from Greek word, meaning "for life." In 2001 the World Health Organization, or WHO, accepted the current legal definition of probiotics as "live microorganisms which when consumed in adequate amounts as part of food confer a health benefit on the host."
Probiotic Foods
Probiotic microorganisms are a necessary component of a fermentation process. Many probiotic-containing foods were popular for centuries in Europe, Middle East and Japan. Yogurt, kefir and other fermented milk products contain probiotic microorganisms and are available in the United States. To be able to provide health benefits, live probiotic bacteria must be present in food and in adequate quantities. Lactobacillus, or lactic acid bacteria, and Bifidobacterium are two of the most common classes of probiotic bacteria with confirmed health benefits.
Probiotic Health Benefits
Beneficial bacteria in the intestine are similar to probiotics and are often called "friendly bacteria." According to World Health Organization "there is emerging evidence to indicate that probiotics can be taken ... to prevent certain diseases and modulate ... immunity." Diarrhea and medications, such as antibiotics, destroy a healthy intestinal flora and make you vulnerable to harmful bacteria. If you are suffering from diarrheal illness or undergo antibiotic therapy, taking probiotic foods helps to repopulate your intestine with beneficial bacteria. In addition, in April 2009 The American Dietetic Association, or ADA, issued the position paper where it stated that "fermented dairy products (probiotics) may improve irritable bowel syndrome."
Other Functional Foods
The majority of fruits and vegetables as well as grains, nuts and fish are functional foods. In addition to vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, fruits, vegetables, whole grains and nuts contain various phytonutrients that help protect from chronic diseases, including heart disease and some cancers. According to the ADA "tomato products rich in lycopene may reduce the risk of prostate, ovarian, gastric and pancreatic cancers", "dark chocolate improves endothelial dysfunction" and cranberry can help with urinary tract infection. Besides being a good source of protein, fish also contains omega-3 fatty acids that may protect from heart disease and reduce inflammation in the body.
References
- International Food Information Council Foundation: Functional Foods
- FAO/WHO: Health and Nutritional Properties of Probiotics in Food Including Powder Milk with Live Lactic Acid Bacteria
- International Food Information Council Foundation: Food Isight; Functional Foods Fact Sheet: Probiotics and Prebiotics
- "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases"; Probiotics and Their Derivatives as Treatments for Inflammatory Bowel Disease; Luca Prisciandaro et al.; December 2009
- "Journal of the American Dietetic Association"; Position of the American Dietetic Association: Functional Foods; April 2009
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