Authors : Kumudini R. Dhore
Page Nos : 218-224
Description :
A functional food is a food given an additional function (often one related to healthpromotion
or disease prevention) by adding new ingredients or more of existing
ingredients. Functional foods are part of the continuum of products that individuals
may consume to increase their health and/or contribute to reducing their disease
burden. Different researchers indicated that these foods can reduce the risks of
degenerative diseases. This is fact that consumption of these foods is occasional and
maximum benefits of functional foods are not availed due to lack of information.
Therefore, a survey was conducted to study the awareness about functional foods
among 200 women of Akola city. Information was collected through a pre-tested
schedule. The subjects were randomly selected and dietary survey was conducted.
Study revealed that only 30 percent subjects were familiar with the term \"functional
food\". Most of the subjects preferred bran and cereal products due to taste and nutritive
value, only 16 percent subjects were aware about their gastrointestinal functions. The
knowledge status related to physiological and functional properties of chocolate and
cocoa, green and black tea, as well as black grapes was very low amongst all the
subjects. Surprisingly the subjects had lack of awareness about the goodness of
chocolate and cocoa products for health. Subjects were highly aware about the
importance of nuts for cardio vascular health and the nutritional richness of milk and
milk products, but none of the subjects was aware about the pre biotic functions of
dairy products. Most of the subjects consumed functional foods for its taste and also to
add variety to routine diet. There was little knowledge about the specific health benefits
and physiological importance of functional foods. The nutritional counselling and
educational programmes should be planned for the maximum utilization of functional
foods in daily diet and for the promotion of nutritional awareness in the community.
Keywords:
Functional foods, specific functions, awareness
