Food as MedicineMan has long recognized the health benefits of food. However, with the development of chemical drugs and pills, they have forgotten that the food they consume is directly related to their health. Food, in fact, is the best medicine and we must therefore carefully consider how we perceive and use it. First, choosing the right diet and foods to eat can help improve health and bodily functions. Second, using food for health-promoting purposes is a norm and scientists are eager to create foods that can fight disease. It is not surprising that there are similarities and differences in views on the health benefits of foods between two different generations. Finally, the industrialization of health-promoting foods (nutraceuticals and functional foods), has raised concerns about how the government should regulate them. We are what we eat, the foods we eat at each meal have a significant impact on our health and therefore it can be used as medicine. A healthy diet is directly linked to good health. This is because the human body needs food to function properly. If the food is not good enough, then our functions are disrupted. For example, consuming foods with a high glycemic index (carbohydrate digestion rate) can cause a sudden rise and fall in blood sugar levels, which would increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and obesity (Ghartey and Nembhard, 2013). On the other hand, consuming unsaturated fatty acids, found in plant sources such as olive oil, nuts and soy, can improve health. This is because unsaturated fatty acids increase the level of HDL cholesterol which collects excess LDL cholesterol...... middle of paper ......D. (2013). Nutrition and healthy eating. Whitby, ON: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Ltd. Nutraceuticals/functional foods and health claims on foods. (nd). Retrieved from Health Canada: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/claims-reclam/nutra-funct_foods-nutra-fonct_aliment-fra.php#a4Phytonutrients. (nd). Retrieved from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com/diet/phytonutrients-faqSchorr, M. (October 17, 2013). Chicken soup is really good for colds. Retrieved from ABC News: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=117888What are functional foods and nutraceuticals? (nd). Retrieved from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/industry-markets-and-trade/statistics-and-market-information/by-product-sector/functional-foods-and - natural-health-products/functional-foods-and-nutraceuticals-canadian-industry/what-are-functional-foods-and-nutraceuticals-/?id=11