Introduction: Functional foods are foods enriched or naturally rich in bioactive compounds—such as probiotics, omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, plant sterols and phytochemicals—that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. For B. Pharm students, understanding functional foods intersects pharmacology, nutraceutical science, formulation, safety, clinical evidence and regulatory aspects. Key concepts include mechanisms of action (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, gut-modulating), bioavailability, potential drug–food interactions and quality control. Clinical trial design and biomarker selection are crucial for validating claims. This topic equips pharmacists to evaluate therapeutic potential and counsel patients on chronic disease prevention using functional foods and fortified products. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the best definition of a functional food?
- A food that is only used as a medicine
- A food that provides basic nutrition and no additional health effects
- A food that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition due to bioactive components
- A supplement in pill form labeled as natural
Correct Answer: A food that provides health benefits beyond basic nutrition due to bioactive components
Q2. Which of the following is a common bioactive in functional foods with demonstrated cardiovascular benefit?
- Curcumin
- Plant sterols (phytosterols)
- Allicin
- Lectins
Correct Answer: Plant sterols (phytosterols)
Q3. How do plant sterols primarily reduce LDL cholesterol?
- By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver
- By increasing hepatic LDL receptor degradation
- By competing with dietary cholesterol for intestinal absorption
- By directly oxidizing LDL particles
Correct Answer: By competing with dietary cholesterol for intestinal absorption
Q4. Which omega-3 fatty acid is most associated with reduced triglycerides and cardiovascular risk?
- Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
- Linoleic acid (LA)
- Arachidonic acid (AA)
Correct Answer: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
Q5. What is the primary proven benefit of many probiotic strains?
- Permanent colonization of the small intestine
- Reduction in antibiotic-associated diarrhea and modulation of gut microbiota
- Direct lowering of blood glucose by insulin-like action
- Systemic detoxification of heavy metals
Correct Answer: Reduction in antibiotic-associated diarrhea and modulation of gut microbiota
Q6. Which best defines a prebiotic?
- A live microorganism that confers a health benefit
- A non-digestible substrate that selectively stimulates beneficial gut microbes
- An encapsulated probiotic formulation
- A synthetic vitamin added to foods
Correct Answer: A non-digestible substrate that selectively stimulates beneficial gut microbes
Q7. What term describes a product combining probiotics and prebiotics?
- Sympathogen
- Biogenic
- Synbiotic
- Postbiotic
Correct Answer: Synbiotic
Q8. Which active compound in red yeast rice is pharmacologically similar to lovastatin?
- Monacolin K
- Resveratrol
- Coenzyme Q10
- Phytosterol esters
Correct Answer: Monacolin K
Q9. Which assay is commonly used to measure antioxidant capacity in vitro?
- ELISA for C-reactive protein
- DPPH free radical scavenging assay
- HPLC for caffeine
- Western blot for SOD expression
Correct Answer: DPPH free radical scavenging assay
Q10. What distinguishes fortification from enrichment?
- Fortification removes nutrients; enrichment adds harmful substances
- Fortification adds nutrients not originally present; enrichment restores nutrients lost during processing
- Enrichment adds non-nutrient bioactives; fortification increases protein only
- They are interchangeable terms with no regulatory difference
Correct Answer: Fortification adds nutrients not originally present; enrichment restores nutrients lost during processing
Q11. Which regulatory claim type is allowed in many jurisdictions without proving disease prevention?
- Disease claim (prevents heart disease)
- Structure-function claim (supports healthy cholesterol levels)
- Therapeutic claim (treats hypertension)
- Guaranteed cure claim
Correct Answer: Structure-function claim (supports healthy cholesterol levels)
Q12. Which processing method is most effective at reducing phytate levels and improving mineral bioavailability in legumes?
- Freezing
- Soaking and fermentation
- Dry roasting at low temperature
- UV irradiation
Correct Answer: Soaking and fermentation
Q13. Which compound is known to enhance curcumin bioavailability by inhibiting hepatic metabolism?
- Piperine from black pepper
- Quercetin from apples
- Ascorbic acid
- Resveratrol
Correct Answer: Piperine from black pepper
Q14. Soy is a rich dietary source of which class of phytoestrogens?
- Anthocyanins
- Isoflavones
- Saponins
- Glucosinolates
Correct Answer: Isoflavones
Q15. Which type of dietary fiber is most effective at lowering serum LDL cholesterol?
- Insoluble cellulose
- Soluble viscous fiber (e.g., β-glucan, psyllium)
- Lignin-only fiber
- Chitin from shellfish
Correct Answer: Soluble viscous fiber (e.g., β-glucan, psyllium)
Q16. A lower glycemic index diet contributes to chronic disease prevention primarily by:
- Increasing fasting ketone levels
- Improving postprandial glucose and insulin responses to reduce diabetes risk
- Eliminating carbohydrates entirely
- Directly chelating dietary fats
Correct Answer: Improving postprandial glucose and insulin responses to reduce diabetes risk
Q17. What is a major formulation stability concern for functional foods enriched with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs)?
- Microbial overgrowth due to PUFAs
- Oxidative rancidity leading to off-flavors and loss of activity
- Crystallization into toxic polymers
- Complete insolubility in water-based matrices
Correct Answer: Oxidative rancidity leading to off-flavors and loss of activity
Q18. Grapefruit juice can interact with drugs by inhibiting which pathway?
- Renal tubular secretion via OCT2
- CYP3A4-mediated intestinal metabolism
- Glucuronidation by UGT1A1 only
- Monoamine oxidase in the brain
Correct Answer: CYP3A4-mediated intestinal metabolism
Q19. In clinical trials of functional foods, which study design helps minimize inter-individual variability by allowing each subject to serve as their own control?
- Parallel-group randomized trial
- Crossover randomized trial
- Case series
- Ecological study
Correct Answer: Crossover randomized trial
Q20. Which biomarker is most commonly used to assess lipid-lowering efficacy in functional food trials?
- Serum creatinine
- LDL cholesterol concentration
- Urinary sodium excretion
- Blood hemoglobin
Correct Answer: LDL cholesterol concentration
Q21. When using red yeast rice as a functional food, which safety parameter should be monitored due to statin-like effects?
- Serum amylase for pancreatitis
- Liver function tests (ALT, AST)
- Fasting insulin only
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: Liver function tests (ALT, AST)
Q22. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) produced by colonic fermentation of prebiotics primarily include:
- Palmitic, stearic, oleic acids
- Acetate, propionate, butyrate
- EPA, DHA, ALA
- Lactic acid only
Correct Answer: Acetate, propionate, butyrate
Q23. Which probiotic strain has strong evidence for preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea in children?
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)
- Escherichia coli K12
- Clostridium difficile strain X
- Bacillus anthracis
Correct Answer: Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG)
Q24. Fortified milk with added calcium and vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis primarily by:
- Directly stimulating osteoclast activity
- Improving calcium absorption and bone mineralization
- Providing high levels of phytoestrogens
- Increasing urinary calcium loss
Correct Answer: Improving calcium absorption and bone mineralization
Q25. Which antinutrient commonly reduces iron and zinc absorption in cereals and can be decreased by fermentation?
- Lectin
- Phytate (phytic acid)
- Cyanogenic glycosides
- Saponin
Correct Answer: Phytate (phytic acid)
Q26. What is the main difference between a nutraceutical and a functional food?
- Nutraceuticals are always prescription drugs
- Functional foods are whole or fortified foods consumed as part of the diet; nutraceuticals are concentrated bioactive extracts or supplements
- There is no difference; terms are legally identical
- Nutraceuticals are synthetic chemicals unrelated to food
Correct Answer: Functional foods are whole or fortified foods consumed as part of the diet; nutraceuticals are concentrated bioactive extracts or supplements
Q27. Soluble fibers lower serum cholesterol primarily by which mechanism?
- Increasing intestinal bile acid excretion and reducing enterohepatic bile acid recycling
- Directly inhibiting pancreatic lipase in the bloodstream
- Blocking cholesterol synthesis at HMG-CoA reductase in adipose tissue
- Stimulating renal excretion of cholesterol
Correct Answer: Increasing intestinal bile acid excretion and reducing enterohepatic bile acid recycling
Q28. Which carotenoid is a provitamin A compound found in carrots?
- Lycopene
- Beta-carotene
- Astaxanthin
- Lutein only (no provitamin A activity)
Correct Answer: Beta-carotene
Q29. For high-quality evidence on a functional food’s effect in chronic disease prevention, which study type is considered most reliable?
- Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
- Cross-sectional survey
- Case report
- In vitro cell culture study
Correct Answer: Randomized controlled trial (RCT)
Q30. Why is accurate labeling of active ingredient dose important for functional foods used in clinical practice?
- Because labels increase product weight
- To ensure therapeutic exposure, avoid interactions, and allow risk–benefit assessment
- Labels are only marketing tools with no safety role
- Because unlabeled products are always less effective
Correct Answer: To ensure therapeutic exposure, avoid interactions, and allow risk–benefit assessment
I am a Registered Pharmacist under the Pharmacy Act, 1948, and the founder of PharmacyFreak.com. I hold a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from Rungta College of Pharmaceutical Science and Research. With a strong academic foundation and practical knowledge, I am committed to providing accurate, easy-to-understand content to support pharmacy students and professionals. My aim is to make complex pharmaceutical concepts accessible and useful for real-world application.
Mail- Sachin@pharmacyfreak.com