What are functional foods?

Functional foods are defined as food products that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition. This means these foods deliver additional advantages that can contribute positively to health, such as reducing the risk of disease or improving overall health conditions. Examples include foods fortified with vitamins and minerals, probiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids, which provide benefits like improved gut health or enhanced heart health.

In contrast, the incorrect options do not convey the concept of functional foods accurately. Foods that exist strictly for calorie intake do not necessarily provide added health benefits, focusing only on energy content. The idea that functional foods must come from organic farming misrepresents functional foods, as they can be produced through a variety of agricultural methods, including conventional farming practices. Lastly, standard food items with no added values do not meet the criteria for functional foods, as they do not offer any additional health advantages beyond basic nutrition.