Summary functional Foods is those that beyond exerting basic the nutricionais functions, also will exert beneficial functions the health, preventing and/or minimizing the risk of some illnesses as cancer, osteoporose, cardiovascular accidents, hipertenso, diabetes and colesterolemia. Each functional food has an active principle that the responsible one for the benefits of these foods in the health is considered. The known active principles more are the antirust vitamins (carotenides, acid ascrbico and tocoferol), flavonides or phenolic, acid composites greasy polyunsaturateds (3 Omega and Omega 6), dietary staple fibres, prebiticos and probiticos. The functional foods will only have preventive if consumed effect daily in an feeding balanced rich in fruits, vegetables and grains. Word-key: functional foods. prevention. health.

1 INTRODUCTION the world-wide population this with an increasing concern on relation between the feeding and health, all are in longevity search. Therefore to each day new studies appear on foods that it aims at to provide a more healthful life. ' ' Low the incidence of illnesses in some peoples called the attention for its diet. The eskimos with its feeding based on fish and rich products of the sea in 3 Omega and Omega 6, have low index of cardiac problems, as well as od French consumers of wine tinto. The orientals, had to the soy consumption that contains fitoestrognios, have little cancer of breast. In these countries, the custom to consume fruits and vegetables also results in a reduction of the risk of coronarianas illnesses and cancer, proven for data epidemiolgico.' ' (ANGEL, 2004, P. 146). ' ' The functional foods are part of a new food conception launched by Japan in the decade of 80 through a government program that had as objective to develop healthful foods for a population who envelhecia.' ' (COLLI apud ANGEL, 2004, P. 146). ' ' The term functional foods first was introduced in Japan in middle of years 80 and if it relates to processed foods I contend ingredients that assist especficas functions of the body beyond being nutritivos.' ' (CORNLIO; SALTY; VIEIRA, 2007).