In 1984, research was done in Japan on the functionality of foods. It was discovered that besides providing nutrition and sensory enjoyment, food also modulates physiological functions, prevents diseases and aids recovery from illness.
日本曾在一九八四年針對食物的機能性做過研究，發現食物除了有補給營養、賦予感官享受的機能外，還有調節生理機能、預防疾病、有利康復的第三種機能。