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.

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 :

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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