Functional, Traditional, Medicinal and Novel Foods

Function On Metabolism

Functional Foods

The term functional foods applied broadly to foods and food constituents that provide specific
health or medical benefit, including the prevention and treatment of diseases, as well as
nutritional value. The practice of using certain foods for the prevention and treatment of
diseases in human societies must have originated far back in time, as hunters and gatherers
did so long ago.

The proposed definitions of functional foods include:

o Foods that, by virtue of physiologically active components, provide health benefits

beyond basic nutrition
o Any food or food ingredient that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional
nutrients it contains
o A food, either natural or formulated, which will enhance physiological performance
or prevent or treat diseases and disorders

Example of Functional Foods and Their Function on Metabolism

a) Berries, especially blueberry contain anthocyanin and anthocyanidins that neutralize

free radicals and hence reduce risk of cancer, heart diseases, and age- related diseases.
b) Fish oils contain essential fatty acids as discussed below:
 Omega - 3 fatty acids are necessary for properly maintaining human and animal
health. May play a role to reduce risk of CVD and improve mental function e.g.,
Attention Deficit Disorder and Alzheimer’s disease. Improve visual function and
give anti-inflammatory effect.
 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is also present and is a major component of brain
and eye tissues.
 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) shows anti- inflammatory properties.
 ALA (α -linolenic acid) prevents blood clotting (cause of fatal heart attacks) and
lowers LDL and total cholesterol.
c) Flaxseed consists of phytoestrogens and lignans which have antioxidant properties.
Omega- 3 fatty acids are also present that may reduce risk of hormone- related cancer
 such as breast cancer by competing with estrogen receptors in cells and against
prostate and colon cancers.
d) Oats consists of both soluble and insoluble fibres.
 Insoluble fibre may reduce risk of breast or colon cancers
 Soluble fibre show cholesterol lowering effect and thus reduces risk of CVD. A
study showed that 3g of β - glucan is required to obtain a 5% reduction of serum
cholesterol.
e) Psyllium is also used as an additive in several other products such as cereals,
supplements, and soluble fibre in the diet. It confers several health benefits, notably
alleviation of constipation and a moderate decrease in blood pressure.

Traditional Foods

Traditional foods are foods and dishes that are passed through generations or which have
been consumed by many generations. Foods from land and sea once provided everything
for people. Today, a mix of market and traditional food is common for most people, but
traditional food remains an important source of many nutrients.

Traditional foods are:

 Foods in their original form, as they were created— not modernized, not processed,
not packaged.
 Foods that have a long history of supporting good health.
 Foods that are whole and nutrient-dense.
 Foods that are simple and basic.
 Foods that are nutrient dense and prepare and eat foods in the same manner that
nourished our ancestors and kept them well.

Meat and poultry, eggs, whole grains, fish, beans and legumes, vegetables, fruit, nuts and
seeds, dairy, and fats are general traditional foods.

Example of Traditional Foods

Following are some examples of traditional foods:

I. Cow, goat, lamb meat and poultry

II. Fish from less polluted waters
III. Eggs from pastured hens
 IV. Dairy and dairy products from cows and goats that are grass-fed and not processed
V. Whole grains
VI. Organic grown vegetables and fruits
VII. Lacto-fermented vegetable and fruit condiments, such as sauerkraut, chutneys,
pickles, various dressings and sauces
VIII. Fermented beverages, such as kombucha, water kefir, beet kvass and others
IX. Fats such as butter, beef tallow and other animal fats, unrefined coconut oil, palm oil,
extra virgin olive oil
X. Raw nuts and seeds

Function on Metabolism

Traditional foods have different functions on human metabolism which are stated as follow:

 These foods have less calories and therefore helpful for weight control.
 Traditional foods contain less saturated fat, include more lean meats and fish that
are better for the heart.
 Consists of more iron due to less processing and hence better for muscles and
blood, more zinc - better for wound healing and fighting infection, more Vitamin
A - better for vision and fighting disease, more calcium - better for strong bones
and teeth and strengthened cultural capacity and well-being.

Medicinal Foods

Those foods which have therapeutic effects on human body included in medicinal foods.
These foods are consumed for health promotion, disease prevention and for curing of a
disease as well. Various such foods are included in the regular diets or taken as medicine,
long years ago. These foods function in such a way as to cure a disease or reduce its
symptoms and hence contribute to the wellbeing of humans.

A plant's seeds, roots, bark, or flowers and plant extracts for medicinal purposes. Ancient
Chinese and Egyptian writings describe medicinal uses for plants.

Medicinal herbs have curative powers and are used in making medicines because of their
healing properties such as basil, parsley, peppermint and lavender.

Examples of Medicinal Foods and Their Function on Metabolism

Following are some examples of medicinal foods and their function on metabolism:
  Laminaria

Laminaria is a genus of brown algae and type of seaweed. It is used as food in many Asian
countries. Laminaria contains iodine, an element that the body needs to make thyroid
hormones. It is also a rich source of iron and potassium. Due to its composition of
biologically active substances such as amino acids, vitamins, minerals and polyunsaturated
fatty acids, is highly effective to ensure normal functioning of the body and aids in treating in
certain diseases.

The medicinal properties of Laminaria are due to presence of alginic acid. Alginate are
binding agents and bind the radioisotopes and toxic heavy metals that are present in human
body. It pumps out all the toxic metals. It is suggested that toxic levels of heavy metals are
significantly reduced when consumed on the regular basis.

Fucoidan is also present in Laminaria, which help in stopping the growth of tumors, induce
programmed cell death of cancer cells in leukemia by interfering in interaction between
tumor cells and the normal cells.

 Phlorotannins

These are present in aquatic and terrestrial plants and have potential health benefits such as
antioxidant effect, anticancer effect, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Phlorotannins have significant scavenging activities against superoxide and free radicals and
can therefore be used as antioxidants in the food industry. In addition to their antioxidant
properties, together with fucoidan, alginate, and other components in the seaweeds,
phlorotannins can inhibit lipase activity. They can be used as pancreatic lipase inhibitors,
which have the potential to control dietary fat digestion, and hence can be used for weight
control purposes.

 Ginkgo Biloba

Ginkgo extract stimulates the blood circulation to the brains. Ginkgo extracts are used to treat
patients with memory loss, dizziness, sleep disorders, tinnitus and dementia.

In China, the ginkgo leaves are still used to strengthen the heart and lungs. Ginkgo extract has
also antioxidant properties. The presence of flavonoids in the ginkgo extract is responsible for
plant high degree of antioxidant property.
Medicinal Plants: Lower Cardiovascular Diseases Risks
There are some plants which reduces the risks of CVD which are mentioned below:
 Avena sativa that improved the blood pressure and endothelial function. Exerted
angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition and helps in improving heart health.
 Beta glucan decrease hypertension.
 Avenanthramide enhance production of nitric oxide which is a potent vasodilator
and also inhibit thickening of vascular smooth muscle.
 Garlic inhibited platelet aggregation.
 Soy Protein show lipid lowering effects.
 Aloe-vera gel lowered triacylglyceride levels and also reduced the average size of
adipocytes.
Medicinal Plants: Lower Kidney Stones Occurrence
 Green Tea decrease the crystal depositions in the kidneys.
 Raspberry decrease the urinary calcium and phosphorus levels.
 Parsley helps in urinary calcium and protein excretion and also decreases the serum
urea and uric acid.
Novel Foods

Novel foods are those foods which are introduced in our diets in recent years. They have no
long history and are produced by new technologies. Novel means ‘new’, ‘unusual’ and
‘unconventional’.

Novel Food is defined as food that had not been consumed to a significant degree by humans
in the European Union before 15 May 1997, when the first Regulation on novel food came
into force.

Examples of Novel Foods and Their Function on Metabolism

1. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are good source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, iron, calcium and antioxidants.
Omega 3- fatty acids helps increase in HDL cholesterol that protect against heart attack and
stroke. It also help in weight loss.

2. Quinoa Grain
Quinoa is a gluten-free seed that can make a great substitute for rice and other grains.

3. D - Tagatose

Tagatose is a naturally occurring sweetener derived from fructose. By comparison to sugar

which provides 4 kcal/g, tagatose is a low - calorie sweetener providing 1.5 kcal/g. It is not
readily metabolized unlike sugars and therefore does not cause a sudden increase in blood
sugar. It may be useful as a sweetener for type II diabetic patients, but may cause stomach
upsets.

There are many active ingredients in foods and each works differently. These are some
possible actions:

 Antioxidant - Most phytochemicals have antioxidant activity and protect our cells
against oxidative damage and reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
 Hormonal Action - Isoflavones, found in soy, imitate human estrogens and help to
reduce menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.
 Interference with DNA Replication - Saponins found in beans interfere with the
replication of cell DNA, thereby preventing the multiplication of cancer cells.
Capsaicin, found in hot peppers, protects DNA from carcinogens.
 Physical Action - Some phytochemicals bind physically to cell walls thereby
preventing the adhesion of pathogens to human cell membrane. Proanthocyanidins are
responsible for the anti-adhesion properties of cranberry. Consumption of cranberries
will reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and will improve dental health.

Conclusion

Different foods have different ingredients and consuming their right amount helps in
promotion of health.
References
1. Handbook of Plant Food Phytochemicals Sources, Stability and Extraction Edited by
B.K. Tiwari Food, Nigel P. Brunton and Charles S. Brennan
2. Advances in Food and Nutrition Research Marine Medicinal Foods: Implications and
Applications, Macro and Microalgae
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/
phlorotannin
4. Functional Foods, Nutraceuticals, and Degenerative Disease Prevention Edited by
Gopinadhan Paliyath Marica Bakovic Kalidas Shetty