Functional Food and Health

Functional food ingredients and nutraceutical products are important in health promotion and disease risk reduction. Such foods are expected to render physiological benefits beyond their traditional nutritional value. Although presence of phytochemicals and bioactives in foods is important, their absorption, bioavailability and metabolism are also critical factors that influence in their beneficial effects. Processing, however, may affect such bioactives and hence processinduced changes in functional food ingredients must be carefully examined. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of bioactivies in food are numerous, but include antioxidant activity, among others. Important aspects of functional foods and their health benefits are presented.