Functional foods are those that have a positive effect on human health beyond basic nutrition. They include items such as probiotics, prebiotics, and omega-3 fatty acids. Functional foods are often marketed as being able to improve things like digestion, heart health, and cognitive function. While there is some evidence that they can be helpful in some cases, more research is needed to determine their full effects.
Some of the emerging trends in functional foods include the use of probiotics, functional enzymes, and functional ingredients such as omega-3 fatty acids.