Welcome to Parma, the city of good food and culinary excellence, where the 22nd edition of Cibus, the International Food Exhibition, is taking place. This year, the event features a special intervention by Elena Casiraghi, a nutrition expert from Equipe Enervit, as part of Cibus Healthy. The topic? “Functional Foods: What Are They and What Do They Really Do?” presented by ENDU.
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Elena Casiraghi: An Introduction
Elena Casiraghi has competed in swimming, water polo, rowing, and triathlon at competitive levels. Today, in addition to her daily training routine, she primarily focuses on her role as a mother while still actively engaging in the field of nutrition and wellness.
Her academic background includes a degree in Sports Science and a Ph.D. in Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Well-being. Currently, she works as a researcher and scientific communicator for Enervit, also contributing to the radio program Deejay Training Center on Radio Deejay.
Functional Foods: Definition and Categories
But what exactly are functional foods? Elena explains that a food can be considered functional if it has demonstrated a beneficial influence on one or more bodily functions, in addition to providing adequate nutritional effects. This means that it not only provides essential nutrients but also contributes to overall well-being and health, or even disease prevention.
There are two main categories of functional foods: Type A and Type B. Type A foods improve specific physiological functions, while Type B foods reduce the risk of diseases. However, in Europe, there is still a lack of specific legislation on this category of foods and their labeling, while in other countries, such as Japan, they are precisely regulated and recognized as Food for Specific Health Use (FOSHU).
Examples of Functional Foods
Among the most well-known functional foods are fruits, vegetables, green tea, garlic, dairy products enriched with probiotics, and many others. These foods are rich in beneficial substances such as antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols, which have been shown to contribute to health and well-being.
Exploring Functional Nutrition
Functional nutrition represents an important area of research and development in the field of nutrition. With the growing interest in health and well-being, it is essential to understand the role that foods can play in promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. Thanks to Elena Casiraghi’s expertise and her passion for scientific dissemination, we can deepen our knowledge on this topic and make informed dietary choices for our long-term well-being.