Definition of Functional food

Functional food: Functional foods are "those foods that encompass potentially healthful products including any modified food or ingredient that may provide a health benefit beyond the traditional nutrients it contains," as defined by the Institute of Medicine. Functional foods can include foods like cereals, breads and beverages which are fortified with vitamins, herbs and nutraceuticals.

The healing power of foods is a popular concept that focuses on how "super foods" can have health protecting properties. Medicinal foods or "nutritionally high powered foods" have been part and parcel of the natural products industry for a long time and, through emerging scientific research and particularly through growing public interest, they have reached the mainstream.