functional food

American  

[fuhngk-shuh-nl food] / ˈfʌŋk ʃə nl ˈfud /

noun

1. a food that is fortified or enriched to provide beneficial properties beyond the nutritional value of the food in its unenhanced state: in some jurisdictions, as in Canada or Japan, functional foods must be labeled to specify the purported physiological benefits, including disease prevention or treatment.

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functional food British  

noun

1. Also called: nutraceutical. a food containing additives which provide extra nutritional value

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Etymology

Origin of functional food

First recorded in 1985–90; translation of Japanese kinōsei-shokuhin, from kinōsei “functionality” (equivalent to kinō “function” + -sei, abstract noun suffix) + shokuhin “food”

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

functional food

The functional food trend is pushing caffeine where protein went before it, into a range of packaged foods and drinks from beef jerky to water.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026

Because this enzyme directly affects how quickly sugars enter the bloodstream, the discovery points to possible new functional food ingredients aimed at managing type 2 diabetes.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 11, 2026

A recent study, which referred to carob as a “neglected legume of the Mediterranean Basin,” called it a functional food due to its fiber and mineral content.

From Seattle Times ● Apr. 8, 2024

Because apples contain many health-promoting bioactive substances, the fruit is considered a "functional" food.

From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2023

The industry, which has been expanding into functional food and health ingredients, typically offers strong growth, driven by consumers in emerging markets, with few cyclical swings.

From Reuters ● Jan. 25, 2023