Which of the following foods would NOT be considered a functional food?
a. blueberries
b. margarine with added plant sterols
c. grilled chicken breast
d. milk with added vitamins A and D
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is c. grilled chicken breast.
Functional foods are those that provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These foods have ingredients or additives that can promote health or reduce the risk of disease. To be considered a functional food, it typically contains added bioactive ingredients or has undergone modifications that enhance its nutritional value.
Let’s break down the options:
- a. blueberries: Blueberries are often classified as a functional food due to their high levels of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which have been linked to various health benefits, such as improved cognitive function and reduced inflammation. While they are not fortified with any additional nutrients, their natural components provide functional benefits.
- b. margarine with added plant sterols: This is a functional food. Plant sterols are added to margarine to help lower cholesterol levels. These added plant sterols are bioactive compounds that have been shown to reduce LDL cholesterol, making this margarine a functional food with specific health benefits.
- c. grilled chicken breast: Grilled chicken breast, though a nutritious food, does not offer any additional health benefits beyond providing essential nutrients like protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is not modified or fortified in any way to provide extra functional benefits, so it does not qualify as a functional food.
- d. milk with added vitamins A and D: This is another example of a functional food. The addition of vitamins A and D to milk provides benefits beyond basic nutrition, such as promoting bone health and supporting immune function. The fortification of milk with these vitamins makes it a functional food.
In conclusion, grilled chicken breast does not provide any added health benefits beyond basic nutrition, which is why it is not considered a functional food.