THE ROLE OF FUNCTIONAL FOODS IN DISEASE PREVENTION
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71465/jhmri50Keywords:
Functional foods, disease prevention, bioactive compounds, health promotionAbstract
Functional foods are defined as foods that offer health benefits beyond basic nutrition, playing a crucial role in disease prevention and health promotion. These foods contain bioactive compounds that provide therapeutic benefits to the human body. With the increasing burden of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer, the role of functional foods in preventing these conditions is receiving widespread attention. This article explores the mechanisms by which functional foods influence health, reviews current evidence on their role in disease prevention, and highlights practical examples of functional foods in the Pakistani context. The paper also discusses challenges in promoting functional food consumption and strategies for integrating them into public health initiatives.
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