Functional Food Awareness

[HysteryDiagnosis]

http://www.lef.org/LEFCMS/aspx/PrintVersionDailyNews.aspx?NewsID=11483&Section=Nutrition


When the International Food Information Council began its survey in 1998, "only about three-fourths of Americans could name a food and its related health benefits," says the group's Elizabeth Rahavi. "Now, almost nine out of 10 can. A lot has to do with scientific studies coming out, talking about the benefits of a food and its relationship to good health."

The IFIC defines functional foods as "foods or food components that may provide benefits beyond basic nutrition."

"People are 1,000% more conscious of the fact that food can act as medicine and help prevent lots of diseases," says Jean Carper, author of several best-selling books about functional food.

With such broad awareness, are people actually eating health foods? "Only about a third of Americans say they're making dietary changes because of a health condition," Rahavi says. More are "making dietary changes because they want to improve their overall well-being, so they have energy to go about their day."

[Avalux]

1. There's definitely a disconnect in spite of awareness; obestiy rate is ~30%.

Awareness is no match for advertising and convenience.

[Richard D]

2. True

Some will make healthy choices, some will eat Cheetos and drink coke. But I'd bet more are making healthy choices now then were a couple decades ago.