Functional Foods for Life For Educators

Recent studies on berries have indicated possible benefits to health in decreasing the risk of cancer, heart disease, obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as promoting gut health and healthy aging. There is a wide variety of compounds in berries that are being studied for these potential health benefits including anthocyanins, possibly the most abundant polyphenol found in berries. Learn more about these health benefits as berries native to New Jersey, and other berries, are reviewed.

Studies on a variety of vegetable types have indicated convincing evidence that vegetable intake may provide a decreased risk of hypertension, stroke and cardiovascular disease. There is also evidence that specific vegetables may promote a decreased risk of certain types of cancer. In addition to a review of health benefits, this program also includes recommendations for, and ways to, promote vegetable intake.

Research on chocolate and its possible health benefits have been studied worldwide for many years with the focus on flavonoids, a polyphenol found in cocoa and other plant foods. Yes! Chocolate, in its purest form, is a plant food. Join me to learn many aspects of this plant food including more about how cocoa and dark chocolate, in moderation, can be part of your healthful diet. 

Coffee has been studied extensively and up until recently was thought to have more risks than benefits to health. Current research indicates possible health benefits including a decreased risk of certain types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, some neurodegenerative disorders, type 2 diabetes and liver disease. These areas of research are reviewed as well as the historical perspective of how the berries of coffee trees in Ethiopia became one of the world’s most consumed beverages.

Mushrooms have been used for medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. They are a low fat, low calorie food with an impressive nutritional profile. Research on mushrooms indicate that they can be attributed to producing more than 100 medicinal functions such as antioxidant and antiviral activities and function in ways that may promote protection against type 2 diabetes, heart disease, neurodegenerative diseases and weight management.

Research on tea from the Camellia sinensis plant has included the study of a variety of polyphenol compounds including epigallocatechin 3- gallate (EGCG), theaflavins and thearubigins as well as other compounds found in tea. Epidemiological studies have indicated possible protective effects from tea consumption in specific chronic diseases. Learn about the history, culture and these potential health benefits of tea.