Title: Nutraceuticals, functional foods and botanical dietary supplements; promote wellbeing and underpin public health

Authors: Sundus Tewfik, Ihab Tewfik

Addresses: Department of Health and Human Sciences, London Metropolitan University, 166-220 Holloway Road, London N7 8DB, UK. ' Department of Human and Health Sciences, School of Biosciences, University of Westminster, 115, New Cavendish Street, London W1W 6UW, UK

Abstract: With growing consumers concern on well-being there is vast public interest in health. This interest has created market demand on foods for specified health use; nutraceuticals and botanical supplements. The increase sales trend of these food categories reflects growing levels of health consciousness throughout communities. Regulatory organisations are considering ways to show scientific basis to support and validate claims for functional ingredients or foods containing them. Fortunately, credible scientific research suggests there are many clinically demonstrated and potential health benefits from these food ingredients. As such foods proliferate there is a need to collect comprehensive data and make this database systematically available to doctors, herbalists, nutritionists and health professionals.

Keywords: nutraceuticals; functional food; botanical dietary supplements; wellbeing; nutrition; public health.

DOI: 10.1504/WRSTSD.2008.018552

World Review of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, 2008 Vol.5 No.2, pp.104 - 123

Published online: 30 May 2008 *

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