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functional food

noun

Examples of functional food in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Supports Digestive Health Spaghetti squash is a nutrient-dense functional food packed with vitamins, minerals, and phytosterols that can help reduce inflammation and support digestive health. Lauren O'Connor, Health, 19 Nov. 2025 Other limitations include a lack of information on dosage, the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, said in a statement. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025 Another study, which analyzed fresh and sun-dried dates of three native varieties from Oman for their antioxidant activity, found that all date varieties are a good source of natural antioxidants and could be considered a functional food. Mira Miller, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2025 With formats like Nate’s Manuka honey minis leading the way, the ingredient is poised to become not only a functional food but a lifestyle staple. Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025 Felder told Newsweek that the brand has seen a significant shift in consumer demand toward convenient, functional foods, and this menu refresh builds on that trend. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1988, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of functional food was in 1988

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Cite this Entry

“Functional food.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/functional%20food. Accessed 1 Dec. 2025.

Medical Definition

functional food

noun

More from Merriam-Webster on functional food

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