Functional Foods Could Be the Key to Healthy Living
In today’s world, health is no longer seen as a need addressed only when illness strikes. People now aim to protect themselves before diseases develop, improve their quality of life, and pursue a longer, healthier lifespan. At this very point, one of the most current and relevant concepts emerges: functional foods.
Functional foods are defined as products that not only provide nutritional value but also contain components with positive effects on health, such as strengthening the immune system, delaying aging, and reducing the risk of chronic diseases.
Commenting on developments in this field, Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin, Chair of the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering at Yeditepe University, emphasizes that the functional food sector represents a transformation that directly impacts not only individual health but also public health.
“Everything We Eat Shapes Our Health”
Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin explains why functional foods are rapidly gaining popularity in modern societies with the following words:
“Today, it’s not just about filling our stomachs, we want to stay healthy. Consumers are more conscious, more inquisitive, and more demanding. This is pushing the food industry to change. Functional foods are at the very center of this transformation.”
According to Şahin, consumers are no longer looking for taste alone on the shelves. They carefully check whether foods contain functional components such as omega-3, probiotics, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. Along with this growing awareness, the habit of reading labels during grocery shopping is also becoming more common.
Why Functional Foods are Important?
The fast pace of life, widespread consumption of processed foods, and environmental stress factors weaken the immune system of modern individuals. Especially those living in large cities often cannot devote enough time to healthy eating in their daily routines. At this point, functional foods prepared with the right ingredients come into play.
Prof. Dr. Şahin says, “These products should not be seen merely as food, but also as tools that support public health. When used correctly, they can reduce the prevalence of diseases across society, lower healthcare costs, and improve individuals’ quality of life.”
What Should We Choose and What Should We Avoid?
According to Prof. Dr. Şahin, there are a few key points to consider when selecting functional foods:
Read the label: The ingredient list provides the clearest information about a product’s functionality.
Avoid artificial additives: Genuine functional foods are usually in their most natural form.
Be mindful: Not every product labeled “healthy” is backed by science. Choose products supported by scientific studies.
Functional foods should not be mistaken for supplements: Functional foods should be part of daily nutrition; they do not replace medicine.
Quality over quantity: Select products with fewer but more effective components.
Choose according to age: Each age group has different nutritional needs.
A New Generation of Functional Foods Has Entered Our Lives
Today, many products on supermarket shelves sold with labels such as “fortified” or “health-supporting” actually fall into the category of functional foods. Some of these products provide direct health benefits, while others focus on preventive effects.
Highlighted examples include:
• Breakfast cereals fortified with iron, folic acid, or calcium
• Dairy products and fish oils enriched with omega-3
• Herbal drinks containing antioxidants
• Probiotic yogurts that support the immune system
• High-fiber breads and snacks that aid the digestive system
Turning to Functional Foods Is No Longer a Choice, but a Necessity
Prof. Dr. Fikrettin Şahin, Chair of the Department of Genetics and Bioengineering at Yeditepe University Faculty of Engineering, reminds us that food is no longer only about agriculture or economics but is directly linked to public health and quality of life, and shares this message:
“Each individual is shaping their own future while filling their shopping cart. For this reason, being informed, consuming consciously, and turning to functional foods is no longer a choice, but a necessity.”