Glossary

Functional food. The term functional food defines a food product that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These foods contain biologically active compounds that offer the potential to reduce the risk of disease or promote optimal health. Functional foods may be naturally occurring, or they may be foods to which beneficial ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, probiotics, or fiber, have been added. The concept encompasses both conventional foods rich in essential nutrients and modified foods designed to target specific health concerns. The efficacy of functional foods is supported by scientific evidence, and they are consumed as part of a regular diet to enhance overall well-being

Gut-brain axis. The gut-brain axis represents a complex bidirectional communication system that intricately links the enteric nervous system (ENS) with the central nervous system (CNS). This axis encompasses a network of neural, hormonal, and immunological signaling pathways. It facilitates the exchange of information between gastrointestinal functions and cognitive and emotional centers in the brain, thereby influencing a wide range of physiological processes, including digestion, appetite regulation, and stress response. The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in this interaction, affecting not only local gut health but also exerting profound effects on brain function and behavior.

Synbiotic formulation. A synbiotic formulation is a rational combination of probiotics and prebiotics designed to synergistically enhance the gastrointestinal colonization and activity of beneficial microorganisms. This formulation aims to confer a health benefit on the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or activating the metabolism of one or a limited number of health-promoting bacteria. Synbiotic formulations are typically characterized as either complementary, where each component functions independently, or synergistic, where the prebiotic component is specifically chosen to augment the probiotic’s efficacy.