ABSTRACT
Functional food has become a term used to describe foods or food ingredients that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Basic nutrition includes carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals normally associated with essential needs. Functional foods can range from additives such as soy sterols to formulated foods such as calcium-fortified orange juice, to pure products such as oatmeal. Each of these can deliver a benefit beyond basic nutrition. Soy protein and soy foods, which contain phytosterols, are believed to deliver multiple health benefits. These benefits include reduction of menopausal symptoms and reduction of coronary heart disease risk. Fats are often thought of as negative factors in nutrition; however, several functional foods are based on delivering healthier fats. It is clear that we need to include more omega-3 (N-3) fatty acids in our diets. There are currently many foods
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