Prevention of Diseases by Functional Foods

 

Functional foods contain those nutrients which lower the risk or delay the onset of certain diseases. Intake of these foods can increase the life span. They could be processed or naturally occurring in foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs & spices. They improve immune system & control physical & psychological complaints. They can also slow down the ageing process. Some of the foods identified as functional are oats, soya beans, flax seed, tomatoes, garlic, broccoli & other cabbage family, citrus fruits, tea, wine & grapes.

 Soya beans play preventive role in cardiovascular disease, cancer, and osteoporosis. Daily intake of 25 Gms can show good results. Flax Seeds contain linolenic acid & fibers (lignans) which reduce the risk of breast cancer & high cholesterol. Tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid & an antioxidant which reduces the risk of various cancers & heart attack. 100-150 Gms per day may show positive results. Broccoli -Decrease cancer risk. Glycosinolates stored within cell vacuoles of all cruciferous vegetables have chemo- preventive properties. Broccoli sprouts are particularly rich in this. These vegetables are good sources of folate, vit C & carotenoids which are all cancer fighters. Garlic has pungent smell due to sulphur containing elements. These compounds are cancer preventive, antibiotic, anti hypertensive & lower cholesterol.

 Oats have b-glucan soluble fiber   which has cholesterol lowering effect. It can reduce total low density lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL) thereby reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. Tea contains polyphenols .Green tea is more effective. It can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. Grapes & red wine can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. The high content of phenol present in grapes of red wine is due to the incorporation of skins of grapes into the fermenting grape juice during production. It reduces cholesterol (LDL). Antioxidant property inhibits carcinogenesis (cancer formation).