FUNCTIONAL FOODS
Shea Teresi
Nutr. 243
Overview







Learning objectives
Refresher –introduction
of functional foods,
definitions
Nutrient Density
ANDI Score
Main Functional
Components
Free Radicals
Cancer






Immune Health
Heart Health
Bone Health
Tips For Optimal Health
Questions
Quiz
Learning Objectives
1.
2.
3.
Explain what nutrient density is
Explain the ANDI scale
List 2 Diseases and one component that
help in their risk reduction
Refresher

No standard definition

All foods are not functional

1980s

Unprocessed/ natural foods and processed, enriched and
enhanced foods

Improve or enhance

Reduce the risk of disease
Introduction of Functional Foods

Functional Foods
are processed foods containing ingredients that aid
specific bodily functions in addition to being
nutritious
Definitions
Broad definition
Specified definition
Functional foods are foods
that have a potentially
positive effect on health
beyond basic nutrition.
Functional foods are whole
foods and fortified,
enriched, or enhanced
foods that have a
potentially beneficial
effect on health when
consumed as part of a
varied diet on a regular
basis, at effective levels.
-Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics
-Mayo Clinic
Nutrient Density



Measure of the amount of nutrients in a food in
comparison to its energy content (calories).
Most nutrient dense items = high nutrients, low
calories
Least nutrient dense items = high nutrients, high
calories, low nutrients, high calories.
Nutrient Density- ANDI Score

ANDI score - Aggregate Nutrient Density Index
 Nutrient
density
 1 to 1000
 Micronutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidant capacity

Effective but……..
ANDI Score
Main Functional Components

Carotenoids

Prebiotics

Fatty Acids

Soy protein

Dietary Fiber

Sulfides/ Thiols

Flavonoids

Vitamins

Plant stanols/Sterols

Probiotics
Free Radicals and Health

Free radicals

What are they?

What damage do they cause?
 Diabetes
 Cataracts
 high
blood pressure
 rheumatoid
arthritis
 respiratory
infection
 Cancer
Functional Foods for Free Radical
Neutralization

Antioxidants

Flavonoids – antioxidant activities



Vitamin E


flavanols (quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, myricetin) =
onions, apples, tea, broccoli
flavanones (hesperetin, naringgenin) = citrus fruits
sunflower seeds, almonds, hazlenuts, turnip greens,
fortified foods and beverages
Carotenoids

Beta-carotene = carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe,
and tomatoes
spinach
Cancer




Cell division
Metastasis
Men vs women
Contributors:
 Free radicals
 Carcinogens
 Sun exposure
 Smoking
 Genetics
 Physical activity
 Diet
Functional Foods that Fight Cancer

Dietary fibers

Wheat bran, oatmeal, apples, psyllium seed husk, beans

Carotenoids

Phyto-estrogens


Flax seeds, seeds and nuts, lentils, broccoli, cauliflower
Vitamin C

Citrus fruits, sweet red/green peppers, guava
Immune Health

Immune system disorders

Over activity

Autoimmune diseases

Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Asthma



Under activity
Functional Foods for Immune Health

Probiotics



Bifidobacteria = cultured dairy such as yogurt and supplemented milk
Minerals

Selenium = fish, red meat, whole grains, garlic, liver, eggs

Magnesium = spinach, pumpkin seeds, enriched grains and cereals, halibut, almonds,
brazil nuts, beans

Zinc increases white blood cell count = mushrooms
Antioxidants
Heart Health




Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
Arteries
Atherosclerosis
Cardiovascular Disease
 myocardial
infarction, stroke, Coronary Heart Disease
Coronary Heart Disease



Blood, oxygen and
nutrients
LDL cholesterol (plaque)
Symptoms
Functional Foods for Heart Health

Omega-3 fatty acids



fatty fish (salmon, sardines), fortified eggs, breads, cereals, yogurt,
butter/margarine spreads, and milks
Plant sterols and stanols and soy protein

fortified dairy products, breads, margarine and beverages

naturally in nuts, seeds, fruits and vegetables

Soy beans (edamame)
Soluble fiber

Oatmeal, oat bran, oat flour, barley, rye
Bone Health - Osteoporosis




Bone mineral density
Porous bones
Fragile and increased
risk of fractures and
breakage
Dowagers Hump
Functional Foods for Bone Health


Minerals – calcium and phosphorus

calcium = Milk, yogurt, spinach, fortified orange juice/beverages and foods (cereals,
cereal bars, breads, waffles, etc.)

phosphorus = milk, cheese, meat, fortified breads and cereals
Vitamins – vitamin D


non-food source = sunlight
fatty fish, cod liver, fortified dairy products and some breakfast cereals
Tips for optimal health!





Beware of disguised junk food
More nutrient dense the better!
Eat the rainbow! The more colorful the fruits and
vegetables in your diet, the more nutrients these
foods contain
Don’t rely solely on eating these foods
Physical activity plays a huge role in reaping the
benefits of functional foods
References









Cancer.org
WebMD
Mayo Clinic
Foodinsight.org
International Food Information Council Foundation
Journal of Food and Drug analysis
International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical
Sciences
Nutriwatch.org
Whole Foods Market
QUESTIONS??
Quiz

1. Define nutrient density

2. True or false?


The higher the ANDI score, the lower the nutrient value
3. List 2 diseases along with a functional food
component that reduces its risk