Useful Nutrients And
Useful and harmful nutrients and non-nutrients in some common foods By Faraz Shahbazian, Ph.D. Food Nutrients Non-nutrients Organic: Inorganic: Endogenous: Exogenous: Useful: Harmful: Food additives (Most carbon (Non-carbon e.g. e.g. compounds) compounds) cellulose Cholesterol, Sugars, water, Cyanides proteins, Minerals fats and oils, vitamins “There are more than 20,000 different phytonutrients in fruits and vegetables, and each has a unique role in fighting age-related damage in our bodies.” (From AARP The Magazine) Fiber: Fiber or roughage is a type of plant-derived carbohydrates that body cannot digest. It passes through the body undigested. Fiber comes in two varieties, both beneficial to health. Soluble fiber, which can dissolve in water, contains pectin (a soluble gelatinous polysaccharide present in many fruits, used to thicken preserves), gums (an adhesive substance), mucilage (a thick gluey polysaccharide from plant), and some hemicellulose (similar to cellulose but more random). The following food contain soluble fiber: Oatmeal, nuts, beans, and apples. Soluble fiber has the following benefits: lowering glucose levels and cholesterol. Insoluble fiber (insoluble in water) contains cellulose (a polymer of glucose), lignin (a class of complex organic polymers that makes up cell walls and wood), and some hemicellulose. The following foods contain insoluble fiber: Whole wheat, whole grain couscous, brown rice, legumes, carrots, cucumber, and tomatoes. Insoluble fiber has the following benefits: Help food move through one’s digestive system, and help preventing constipation. This is why children and adults need at least 20 to 30 grams of fiber everyday for good health, but most people get much less fiber.
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