• Question: What molecule of our food are beneficial for our body?

    Asked by Théo Disider to Dilip on 17 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Dilip Rai

      Dilip Rai answered on 17 Nov 2015:

      Our food consists of three types of molecules: Macro-nutrients like proteins, carbohdyrates and fats which are essential for growth and energy; micro-nutrients like vitamins and minerals which essential for cellular activities, and non-nutrients which covers a wide range of plant secondary metabolites called phytochemicals.

      In terms of reducing the risk of diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancers, etc. scientific studies so far have shown that the non-nutrient phytochemicals have beneficial role. Most common phtyochemicals in plant food that are good for out body are polyphenols and glucosinolates.

      You probably have seen in the supermarkets, a DANONE yoghurt fortified with plant sterols (phytosterols). These plant sterols have been known to lower bad cholesterols in humans.

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