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While we’ve only scratched the surface in understanding how foods promote health and protect against disease, the knowledge that “food is medicine” has been around for thousands of years.
Functional foods elicit benefits to health and well-being and have disease-preventing properties well beyond their inherent nutritional value.
The broad category of functional foods can include cereals, breads and beverages which are fortified with vitamins, herbs and nutraceuticals, as well as physiologically active compounds in foods like phytonutrients, omega-3-fatty acids, conjugated linoleic acid, and probiotic bacteria cultures.
Through emerging scientific research and growing public interest, functional foods have reached the mainstream. In fact, according to The Natural Marketing Institute Health and Wellness Trends Database, two out of five people believe functional foods can be used in place of some medicines, a 54 percent increase since 2003. And while 49 percent of people use condition-specific supplements, 65 percent are turning to functional foods to maintain their health and/or improve the following conditions:
- Blood Sugar Imbalance
- High Cholesterol
- Intestinal Irregularity
- Diabetes
- Heart Disease
The future of functional foods depends on their effectiveness in reducing the risk of disease and consumers’ confidence in the health benefits of these foods. As with all foods, it's important to remember that there is no "magic bullet". Your best health is achieved by enjoying a varied diet offering an abundance of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, wild fish, naturally-raised meats, and hormone-free dairy products, while limiting processed foods and your exposure to environmental contaminants.
With more than a dozen functional ingredients in every Chocolate Bliss Cake, this is one sweet treat that won’t sour your health!
One of the World's Greatest Superfoods...
Combined with One of the World's Tastiest Desserts!
Researchers at the USDA measured the antioxidant power (ORAC) of various foods. With an ORAC score of 6,552, blueberries rank near the top of all fruits and vegetables. But would you believe that cocoa scored 80,933… more than 12 times higher!
The antioxidant power of raw cocoa powder is simply off the charts! And with two full cups in every Chocolate Bliss Cake, it has never tasted quite so good to improve your health.
To learn more about the many functional ingredients in our delicious desserts… and to try a slice for yourself, please read our Letter to Dessert Lovers.
References:
- Mazza, G. (Ed). Functional Foods. Biochemical & Processing Aspects.
- International Food Information Council. Food Insight. May/June 1998.
- Bidlack, W.R., and W. Wang. In: Modern Nutrition in Health and Disease. Ninth Edition.
- Hollingsworth, P. Food Technol. 53: 38, 1999.