Biologically Active Components in Foods

Abstract

The prevalence o f some chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases increased the importance of nutrition. Epidemiological studies on the relationship between dietary habits and disease risks have proven that foods have direct impact on health.The modification o f nutritional behaviors, increase in consumption o f fruit, vegetable and whole-grain foods, lifestyle changes are common strategies that may be effective on reducing the risk of chronic disease. It is known that wine, fruits, nuts, vegetables, grains, legumes, spices, etc. have some beneficial effects particularly on age-related diseases. These possible beneficial effects of foods are due to bioactive components that they contain. In this paper, the beneficial effects o f functional foods containing bioactive compounds on health were discussed through various publications.