Fruits and Vegetables as Nutraceutical

Nature's Medicine

Vivek Anumala, Arunkumar Phurailatpam, Pranabjyoti Sarma

• Publisher: CRC Press
• Year: 2021
• Print ISBN: 9781032138008
• eBook ISBN: 9781000480917
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Nutrition, Dietics & Bariatrics
• Index: Technology & Engineering

Cognizing the significance of fruits and vegetables in the human diet. This book is designed to provide an insight into the nutritional importance of fruits and vegetables in human health, disease prevention, managing stress and boosting immunity, especially in this COVID-19 pandemic.

The book contains a very concise and precise information on nutraceuticals, their sources and benefits. It also contains the best possible information regarding common health issues faced by humans and their prevention with the help of bioactive compounds, maintaining a focus throughout on how nutraceuticals influence human health.

The information provided in this book is truly based on scientific records of scientists working in the arena of bioactive compounds of fruits and vegetables and their role in disease prevention of humans as well as Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) acts and regulations.

Note: Taylor & Francis does not sell or distribute the hardback in India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Food concept has altered significantly over time and the transition from a primitive form of human (Homo erectus) to civilised human (Homo sapiens) has a significant impact on the nutritional security of humankind. Globalisation entangled humankind among the choices of the right kind of food for his proper growth and development. The lifestyle adopted by the people today has modified the essential food habits of the latter. Consumption of junk food has inflated, resulting in a variety of diseases caused due to improper nutrition. Obesity is a global issue now. Heart disease is still a cause of death in the majority of the nations followed by cancer, obesity, osteoporosis, obesity, arthritis and several more. Malnutrition cost of the world is about 3.5 trillion USD per year (FAO). Consumers being embarrassed with the expensive, high-tech, disease-treatment approach in the modern medicines are seeking complementary or alternative beneficial products and the procedure of managed care makes nutraceutical significantly appealing (Das et al., 2011). “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”, quoted by Hippocrates about 2,500 years ago is undoubtedly the tenet of today. Nutraceuticals are the emerging class of natural products with great potential that make the line between food and drugs to fade (Adelaja and Schilling, 1999). Ayurveda, one of the world’s oldest medical systems, promoted the use of herbal compounds in the health care system (Rajasekaran et al., 2008). Mother Nature has conferred humanity with numerous plant species having medicinal properties, untapped till date. Fruits are an excellent source of minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, antiinflammatory and anti-microbial phytochemicals (Goff and Klee, 2006). Fruits and vegetables have immense potential of being developed into nutritional ingredients and supplements which have changed the perception of horticultural crops and products (Hui et al., 2010; Kalra, 2003). The exploitation of fruits and vegetables is though in its aborning stage, though soon production of nutraceuticals on a large scale could be a reality with the advancement of science and technology.

CHAPTER 2

PRESENT SCENARIO OF NUTRACEUTICAL MARKET

The demand for nutraceuticals as well as functional foods is expected to witness a surge because of consumers opting for immunity-boosting nutritional supplements during the COVID-19 pandemic. A decline in the use of seafood, meat and poultry products across the globe is expected to raise the need for plant-based protein supplements in the future. According to business wire report, global nutraceutical market is expected to cross USD 722.49 billion by 2027 from the level of $182.6 billion (2016), growing at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 8.3%. India’s rich heritage of herbal medicines and supplements has found resonance in our mythology and folklore. Due to awareness about fitness, wellness and altering lifestyles, India’s nutraceutical market is likely to cross $18 billion by 2025 from the current level of $4 billion (2017) growing at compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 17%, according to a study on ‘The growing nutraceuticals market in India’, conducted by Invest India.

CHAPTER 3

FOOD AND NUTRIENT INTAKE BEHAVIOUR OF INDIANS

In Indian 380 million population are undernourished. While the calorie sufficient but nutrient-deficient population stands at 570 million (NSSO). In a report given by NIN during the year 2015-16 the intake of green leafy vegetables (GLV), milk and milk products and sugar and jaggery were lower than the suggested level of ICMR in an Indian population. The intake of all nutrients is lower than that suggested by the Indian Council of Medical Research.

1. FOOD CONSUMPTION

The average intake of cereals and millets is 320 g/CU/day, while the intake of pulses and legumes is 42 g/CU/day, which is on par with the levels suggested by ICMR (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Food consumption pattern in India

Source: ICMR

2. NUTRIENTS INTAKE

The average intake of the macronutrients such as energy and protein and micronutrients like iron, thiamine and niacin are below the RDA (Fig. 2), whereas, the intake of vitamin A and riboflavin is grossly inadequate. Intake of vitamin C and total folic acid are meeting the RDA (NIN). The proportion of preschool children consuming less than 50% of RDA of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, dietary folate and calcium is very high. Only 56% of the population who fall in the age bracket of 1–3 years, two-third (68%) of the population of 4 to 6 years old children and half of the population of pregnant women (56%) are consuming adequate amounts of both protein and calories.

Fig. 2. Nutrient intake pattern in India

Source: ICMR

Fig. 3. Prevalence(%) of stunting in urban India under five-year children

Source: ICMR

However, the prevalence of undernutrition (thinness) is significantly higher in 6 to 11 years old and 12 to 17 years old boys as compared to girls of the same age group (Fig. 4).

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Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Table of Contents
• Preface
• 1. Introduction
• 2. Present Scenario of Nutraceutical Market
• 3. Food and Nutrient Intake Behaviour of Indians
• 4. Importance of Nutraceuticals
• 5. Nutraceutical: Definition and Concept
• 6. Difference between Pharmaceutical and Nutraceutical
• 7. Food Safety and Standards
• 8. Classification of Nutraceuticals
• 9. Benefits of Fruits and Vegetables as Nutraceuticals
• 10. Plant Food Residues as a Vital Source of Nutraceuticals and Functional Food
• 11. Nutraceutical Delivery Vehicles
• 12. Advantages of Nutraceuticals or Functional Food in Disease Prevention and Management
• 13. Conclusion
• 14. Schedules (I-IV and VI-VIII)
• References