Food Health

"The body enjoys health when the stomach is full. By the end of this chapter, you will be able to explain the anatomy and physiology of the digestive system and other supporting organ systems and describe the relationships between each of the organ systems. The Native Hawaiians believed there was a strong connection between health and food. Around the world, other cultures had similar views of food and its relationship with health. A famous quote by the Greek physician Hippocrates over two thousand years ago, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food,” bears much relevance to our food choices and their connection to our health. Today, the scientific community echoes Hippocrates’ statement as it recognizes some foods as functional foods. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics defines functional foods as “whole foods and fortified, enriched, or enhanced foods that have a potentially beneficial effect on health when consumed as part of a varied diet on a regular basis, at effective levels.”"