Functional Foods

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What are functional foods?
These are foods that are said to have some kind of health benefit beyond basic nutrition.
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What are probiotics?
Probiotics contain 'good' bacteria, such as bifidobacteria and lactobillus. They are found naturally in your gut.
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Which foods contain probiotics?
They are added to foods such as yogurt, soya milk and dietary supplements.
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What are the said benefits of probiotics?
They are supposed to keep your digestive system healthy and your immune system strong.
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What are prebiotics?
These promote the growth of 'good' bacteria. They are carbohydrates that we can't digest, such as oligosaccharides.
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Which foods are prebiotics found in?
They occur naturally in leeks, onions and oats, but in a normal diet you wouldn't digest enough to make a difference, so people take supplements containing prebiotics.
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What are the benefits of prebiotics?
They are a food supply for 'good' bacteria so promote their growth in your gut which could improve your digestive system and strengthen your immune system.
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What are plant stanol esters?
These are chemicals that lower blood cholesterol.
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Where can they be found?
Plant stanol esters occur naturally in plants but in small quantities. They are therefore produced commercially by using bacteria to convert sterols (a type of fat in plants) into stanols.
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What are the benefits of plant stanol esters?
They lower blood cholesterol so therefore reduce the risk of heart disease.
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What is the problem with functional foods?
They all claim to have health benefits, but they may not be scientifically proven.
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Other cards in this set

Card 2

Front

What are probiotics?

Back

Probiotics contain 'good' bacteria, such as bifidobacteria and lactobillus. They are found naturally in your gut.

Card 3

Front

Which foods contain probiotics?

Back

Preview of the front of card 3

Card 4

Front

What are the said benefits of probiotics?

Back

Preview of the front of card 4

Card 5

Front

What are prebiotics?

Back

Preview of the front of card 5
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