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. 2014 May 14;5(3):306S-11S.
doi: 10.3945/an.113.005124. Print 2014 May.

Bioactive foods and ingredients for health

Connie M Weaver  1
Affiliations

Bioactive foods and ingredients for health

Connie M Weaver. Adv Nutr. .

Abstract

Bioactive compounds in foods have been gaining interest, and processes to consider them for public health recommendations are being discussed. However, the evidence base is difficult to assemble. It is difficult to demonstrate causality, and there often is not a single compound-single effect relation. Furthermore, health benefits may be due to metabolites produced by the host or gut microbiome rather than the food constituent per se. Properties that can be measured in a food may not translate to in vivo health effects. Compounds that are being pursued may increase gut microbial diversity, improve endothelial function, improve cognitive function, reduce bone loss, and so forth. A new type of bioactive component is emerging from epigenetic modifications by our diet, including microRNA transfer from our diet, which can regulate expression of human genes. Policy processes are needed to establish the level of evidence needed to determine dietary advice and policy recommendations and to set research agendas.

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Conflict of interest statement

Author disclosures: C. M. Weaver serves on the scientific advisory board of Pharmavite and has grants from Tate & Lyle, Dairy Research Institute, and Nestle.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
Numbers of publications on flavonoids, carotenoids, and phytonutrients and health outcomes. Data and figure are from the International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) North America Emerging Science Trend Report, 2013.
FIGURE 2
FIGURE 2
What level of confidence is needed to prompt action? The relation between the ratio of benefit and risk of the intervention and the degree of certainty about the efficacy leads to a confidence outcome about a decision to recommend the intervention. The cut-plane is decided by a regulatory body or public policy committee; above the plane permits action. A high level of certainty is demanded by society for permitting approval of a drug because of high cost of medical treatment and high risk of inaction compared with side effects. Dietary recommendations to prevent disease demand less certainty than drugs used to treat disease. Isolated bioactive components with potentially higher risk of side effects may demand a higher level of confidence than a nutrient. Adapted with permission from reference .
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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