Best Known Functional Foods
Best Known Functional Food
Health and Wellness is becoming a key focal point for consumers, who are increasingly turning to functional foods to improve nutrition and meet dietary needs.
And as we all know, there’s much room for improvement when it comes to the health and nutrition of the global population. In the India, obesity is considered an epidemic, heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Many people fall alarmingly short of the suggested intakes of nutrients critical for good health like Vitamin B12 & Vitamin D.
And globally, developing countries are facing malnutrition and micro nutrient deficiencies, while developed countries are falling victim to the adverse health effects of the widely adopted Western diet. On top of that, humans need a variety of nutrients that the body simply can’t produce, such as essential fatty acids and minerals, which mean people, must take initiative to ensure they’re receiving adequate nutrition.
Like many people, I turn to functional foods throughout my day to keep me satisfied, full and healthy. In addition to convenience, successful functional products also taste good and, most importantly, provide an added health benefit to them.
Did you know certain foods or food components provide good health wellness. These foods, also known as “functional foods,” are thought to provide benefits beyond basic nutrition and may play a role in reducing or minimizing the risk of certain diseases and other health condition.
Below are best know functional foods and eating tips :
1) Flaxseed
Flaxseeds (also called linseeds) are a rich source of micronutrients, dietary fiber, manganese, vitamin B1, and the essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid, also known as ALA or omega-3.Also known a very good food for healthy heart & reduce hypertension.
Eating Tip :
Add raw powdered flaxseeds to chappati or parathas or buttermilk or just sprinkle it in your sabji you will surely enjoy the nutty taste.
2) Fenugreek Seeds
Fenugreek in Hindi is called methi. Fenugreek is a popular weight reducing agent that offers various other benefits like controlling blood pressure and diabetes and increasing the metabolic rate of the body. Methi is highly rich in fibers. It contains about 75% water-soluble fibers. Fibers ease constipation by increasing the metabolic rate of the body. This automatically triggers the burning of fat deposited in the belly and other adipose tissues
Eating Tip :
1. Heat/Roast fenugreek seeds in a pan.
2. Crush the warm seeds in a mortar/grinder to make a fine powder.
3. Ingest the powder with warm water on an empty stomach each morning.
4. You can also use the powder in curries.
3) Quinoa
Quinoa is naturally gluten-free and contains iron, B-vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, vitamin E, and fiber. It is one of only a few plant foods that are considered a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Quinoa also has a high protein to carbohydrate ratio when compared to other grain products.
Eating Tip :
Sick of oatmeal? Try quinoa porridge instead. Antioxidant-rich blueberries and crunchy, protein-packed almonds round out this dish for a filling morning meal.
4) Cinnamon- The unique smell, color, and flavor of cinnamon is due to the oily part of the tree that it grows from. The health benefits of cinnamon come from the bark of the Cinnamomum tree. Cinnamon has been shown to significantly increase sensitivity to the hormone insulin so it’s good to control diabetes & PCOS.
Eating Tip : Take one teaspoons of cinnamon powder and half teaspoon of honey in a glass of lukewarm water and drink empty stomach. 5) Cumin Seeds The health benefits of cumin include its ability to aid in digestion, improve immunity and treat skin disorders, insomnia, respiratory disorders, asthma, bronchitis, anemia, skin disorders, boils, and cancer. It is rich in antioxidants, calcium, iron and magnesium. In addition to preventing disease, incorporating more cumin into your diet may reduce blood sugar and improve digestion.
Eating Tip :
Cumin is generally recognized as safe for human consumption as a spice and flavoring in sabji, dals, etc
So let’s include these functional foods in our routine.Functional foods offer great potential to improve health and help prevent certain diseases when taken as part of a balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.
“Let food be the medicine and medicine be the food,”
By : Sejal Shah ( Nutrition Expert )
www.swasthlife.com
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