Functional Foods in Brief

Nutrient deficiencies can cause diseases if an adequate amount is not consumed. Functional foods provide health benefits beyond nutrition and are gaining importance because of their bioactive ingredients. These can be derived from plants, animals, and microbes. The nutrition within the available food can be enriched, enhanced, altered, and fortified for well-being and treating of diseases. Consumption of functional food in a regular diet with adequate information and awareness can minimize chronic diseases. Further, profound knowledge of bioactive compound of functional foods needs to be assessed clinically and can play a pivotal role in the health sector.