The grocery store has a rich selection of foods that are marketed for their health-promoting effects. These are called functional foods.

For example, so-called probiotic yogurts contain lactic acid bacteria, which are beneficial for intestinal function.

Other such functional foods are spreads with added blood cholesterol lowering sterols, or confectionery containing, for example, xylitol.

There is often a lack of research data on the health effects of functional foods.

Blueberry (pictured on the right) is an example of a functional food product. Blueberry is often added to food products such as yogurt because of its health benefits.