Nutraceutical (from nutrition + pharmaceutical) is a commercial term used for foods or food products that might help to prevent and treat diseases. Nutraceuticals can include :

• Minerals, vitamins and other dietary supplements
• Herbal products: garlic (allicin), ginger, echinacea, ginseng, liquorice, onion, senna, turmeric (curcumin)
• Dietary enzymes: bromelain, papain
• Dietary fiber
• Hydrolyzed proteins
• Phytonutrients: resveratrol
• Carotenoids: lycopene
• Prebiotics
• Probiotics

Nutraceuticals are usually natural substances and, unlike drugs, are not substances synthesized for a certain purpose

Nutraceuticals are also called functional foods, which are defined as “food products to be taken as part of the usual diet in order to have beneficial effects that go beyond basic nutritional function”

The top five functional foods are –

Oats

Oats are an affordable and easily accessible food, with many benefits. Oats contain ß-glucans and phytochemicals called saponins which help reduce total and LDL cholesterol, which may lead to a reduction in blood pressure. This, along with antioxidants found in oats, help decrease incidences of cardiovascular disease, heart failure and damage to walls of arteries, known as artherosclerosis. ß-glucans also help to stabilise blood sugar, as well as enhance immune function & resistance to bacterial infection.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain a phytochemical called lycopene. Studies show that lycopene plays an important role as an anti-carcinogen, and may also reduce heart disease. Tomatoes are also rich in vitamins A and C, and folic acid. They also contain alpha-lipoic acic, choline, beta-carotene and lutein. Alpha-lipoic acid helps the body convert glucose into usable energy. Research suggests alpha-lipoic acid can also help in stabilising blood glucose levels. Choline found in tomatoes assists