What is defined as a food or beverage that imparts a physiological benefit enhancing health or performance?

A functional food is defined as a food or beverage that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition, specifically enhancing health or improving performance. This category includes items that have been scientifically proven to have beneficial effects on health, such as those enriched with vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or other bioactive compounds that contribute to overall well-being. The concept emphasizes foods that offer more than just caloric value, actively improving health outcomes or supporting bodily functions.

In contrast, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) refer to crops or food products that have been altered through genetic engineering to exhibit specific traits, such as pest resistance or drought tolerance, but do not inherently provide health benefits. Processed foods typically refer to products that have undergone various forms of processing, which can sometimes lead to decreased nutritional value, depending on the type and extent of processing. Organic foods are grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers but are not necessarily linked to physiological benefits beyond conventional counterparts.