New Nutritional Trends: Functional Foods and Nutraceuticals

It is obvious that the market for functional additives is growing. Several publications emphasize the significant business numbers that are starting to change and the continued and steady expansion anticipated for the upcoming years. We will discuss functional and nutraceutical foods today.

The notion of functional foods and nutraceuticals, which have particular health-preserving characteristics in addition to their basic nutritional functions, is becoming more and more popular as a result of new dietary trends and the need to fulfill escalating social and health demands.

The lack of a unified, global definition and legal regulation of functional foods and nutraceuticals is one of the major obstacles facing this revolution, together with the stringent control of various "claims" (declarations, considerations, or assertions) of nutritional benefits, health benefits, and illness prevention.

It is crucial to clarify the meaning of these concepts since this conceptual void has led to significant consumer term confusion, which has been abused in certain marketing and advertising efforts.

What is functional foods?

It is described by the International Food Information Council as "any food similar in physical appearance to conventional food, consumed as part of the daily diet, but capable of producing demonstrated metabolic or physiological effects, useful in maintaining good physical and mental health, in reducing the risk of chronic degenerative diseases, in addition to their basic nutritional functions" among the many other definitions that are currently in use. Therefore, we can classify as functional foods those natural or processed foods that, in addition to offering nutrients, have been scientifically shown to positively affect one or more bodily functions, in such a way that they provide a better state of health and well-being, by acting as a preventative, lowering the risk factors that lead to the development of diseases.

A nutraceutical is what?

According to Biobest Wellness, a concentrated bioactive natural substance, typically present in food, that is presented as a dietary supplement or complement in a non-food matrix (pills, capsules, powder, etc.) and that, when taken in a higher dose than that found in those foods, has a greater positive impact on health than the food itself could. Nutraceuticals are, in other words, food or food-related aspects that have been shown to provide additional health benefits and can advance medical care for the prevention and treatment of illnesses.

Thus, a nutraceutical varies from a drug in that the latter is typically a synthetic product and does not, for the most part, have a biological basis. Also, it varies from herbal extracts and infusions in that its constituent parts are concentrated and the latter may not always have a medicinal effect.

Nutrition for dancers

Dancing is a very comprehensive discipline that develops stamina, flexibility, power, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy.

Dancers who want to be more agile must strengthen their arms, legs, and body fat. It makes use of a variety of energy sources, including phosphocreatine, an ATP precursor, in short-duration activities. Efforts lasting about a minute use glucose or glycogen as fuel.

Dancers' energy requirements

As you lengthen and intensify your workouts, your energy consumption will rise. Being the primary source of fuel, carbohydrates should be consumed in appropriate amounts, evenly distributed, and preferably with a low glycemic index (potatoes, pasta, whole grain bread and rice). By doing this, you can prevent weariness from affecting your performance.

A dance diet should consist of 40% carbs, 30% proteins, and 30% fats in terms of nutrition.

Food for dancers

When you consume something and what you eat both matter. You must make sure you are getting enough energy, nutrition, and liquids. Your sports nutritionist should modify your dance nutrition to satisfy calorie restriction requirements if your objective is to lose weight and/or lower your body fat percentage.

Eat something at least two to three hours before a performance or rehearsal. To improve your performance, consume low-glycemic carbs such artisan bread, brown rice, quinoa, whole wheat pasta, and oatmeal. Use the plate rule to include lean protein and healthy fat in your meal.

Simple carbs from refined flours or sugars should be avoided as they enhance the risk of injury by causing insulin release, fat storage, and inflammation.

Eat fried foods and fats sparingly in your dance diet since they take longer to digest and may make you feel bloated or ill during practice or a performance. Foods high in fiber may give you gas or upset your stomach.

Even if you do not feel thirsty, it is a good idea to develop the habit of drinking. Be mindful of the surroundings where you workout. The loss of water and electrolytes increases with temperature and humidity.

Dancers supplements

Together with adhering to these food recommendations for dancers, it is essential to shield your cells from the stress of training, which causes inflammation and free radicals. I advise taking an omega-3 fatty acid supplement to lower inflammation, rebuild muscle fibers, and avoid damage. These nutrients help activate defenses and enhance focus.