Nutraceuticals and functional foods: whole versus processed foods

The importance of functional foods, nutraceuticals and other natural health products has been well recognized in connection with health promotion, disease risk reduction and reduction in health care costs. Whole foods such as whole grains as well as skins and processing by-products of foods often serve as a concentrated source of components with health beneficial effects. In most cases, processing negatively affects the bioactive components of functional foods and nutraceuticals. Therefore, minimally processed products better serve the health conscious consumers.