• Refresh, Monday, August 8, 2011 9:30 AM

Blogger Bob Vosburgh points out that a new poll from the 2011 IFIC Functional Foods/Foods for Health Survey found that 90% of the 1,000 American adults questioned over the Internet can name at least one food and its associated benefit. Some 76% say that foods that can promote health can have a meaningful impact on their health when they consume them.

The top five foods cited by those surveyed for being most helpful in improving or maintaining their health are fruits and vegetables, fish/fish oil, dairy, whole grains and herbs/spices. The top components or ingredients mentioned included calcium (92%), vitamin D (90%) for bone health; protein (87%) and B vitamins (86%) for overall well-being; and omega-3 fatty acids (85%) for heart health.

In last year's IFIC's study on consumer perceptions of calories, most respondents said they got their information from medical professionals (65%) and registered dietitians (51%). Other sources included media (66%) like the Internet (43%), television news (34%) and magazines (30%), writes Vosburgh.

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