Improving Metabolic Control Through Functional Foods.

Functional foods are designed to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions. This review will discuss the scientific literature on the effects and mechanisms by which functional food components influence metabolic control. Given the high and increasing incidence of glucose intolerance and Type 2 diabetes related to over-nutrition in Westernized societies and the potentially significant role of diet and food awareness in preventing or reversing this condition, this review will focus on those food components or supplements that specifically improve glycemic control. The molecular mechanisms that have been proposed to explain the effects of food components on metabolic control will be discussed and progress in translating this knowledge towards improving human health will be reviewed.