What is a key benefit of functional foods?

Functional foods are designed to have a positive impact on health beyond basic nutrition. This means they offer additional benefits, such as improving health or reducing the risk of disease, due to the presence of specific nutrients or bioactive compounds. For instance, foods enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, probiotics, or antioxidants are considered functional because they contribute to overall well-being in ways that go beyond simply providing calories and essential nutrients.

In contrast, while gluten-free foods may cater to specific dietary needs and can be part of a functional diet, they do not inherently imply health benefits beyond basic nutrition. Similarly, easy preparation is a convenience factor that may appeal to consumers but doesn’t necessarily connect to the health-enhancing properties of functional foods. Lastly, while longer shelf lives can be a quality of some functional foods, it does not define their purpose or the specific health benefits they are meant to provide. Thus, the correct answer emphasizes the unique role functional foods play in supporting and enhancing health.