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What is the biological activity of phytoestrogens?
What is the biological activity of phytoestrogens?
Which of the following foods is a rich source of saponins?
Which of the following foods is a rich source of saponins?
What is the biological activity of glucosinolates?
What is the biological activity of glucosinolates?
What is the possible role of phytoestrogens in human health?
What is the possible role of phytoestrogens in human health?
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What is the food source of isoflavones?
What is the food source of isoflavones?
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What is the biological activity of limonene?
What is the biological activity of limonene?
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What is the estimated number of phytochemicals that remain unknown?
What is the estimated number of phytochemicals that remain unknown?
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What is the name of the type of phytochemicals that owe their name to carrots?
What is the name of the type of phytochemicals that owe their name to carrots?
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Which of the following is an example of a polyphenol?
Which of the following is an example of a polyphenol?
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What is the name of the phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables?
What is the name of the phytochemical found in cruciferous vegetables?
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Which of the following is an example of a phytosterol?
Which of the following is an example of a phytosterol?
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What is the name of the phytochemical found in soybeans and flaxseeds?
What is the name of the phytochemical found in soybeans and flaxseeds?
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What is the name of the carotenoid found in orange-yellow foods?
What is the name of the carotenoid found in orange-yellow foods?
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How many carotenoids are significant for human nutrition?
How many carotenoids are significant for human nutrition?
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What type of Polyphenol is Resveratrol classified as?
What type of Polyphenol is Resveratrol classified as?
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Which of the following is a function of Flavonoids in plants?
Which of the following is a function of Flavonoids in plants?
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What is the most common dietary Flavonoid?
What is the most common dietary Flavonoid?
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What is the collective term for plant-derived sterols and stanols?
What is the collective term for plant-derived sterols and stanols?
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Where are polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables?
Where are polyphenols found in fruits and vegetables?
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What is the bioavailability of Flavonoids dependent on?
What is the bioavailability of Flavonoids dependent on?
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Which of the following is a health effect of Resveratrol?
Which of the following is a health effect of Resveratrol?
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What is the name of the most abundant sterol in plants?
What is the name of the most abundant sterol in plants?
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What is one of the major effects of phytochemicals?
What is one of the major effects of phytochemicals?
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What is a potential health benefit of consuming phytochemicals?
What is a potential health benefit of consuming phytochemicals?
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Which of the following phytochemicals is known for its antimicrobial effects?
Which of the following phytochemicals is known for its antimicrobial effects?
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What is a rich source of polyphenols?
What is a rich source of polyphenols?
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What is one of the benefits of flavanols?
What is one of the benefits of flavanols?
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Which of the following is a classification of phytochemicals?
Which of the following is a classification of phytochemicals?
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What is one of the effects of phytochemicals on human health?
What is one of the effects of phytochemicals on human health?
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What is a potential mechanism of phytochemicals in cancer prevention?
What is a potential mechanism of phytochemicals in cancer prevention?
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What is the approximate amount of secondary plant metabolites present in a mixed diet?
What is the approximate amount of secondary plant metabolites present in a mixed diet?
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Which of the following is a classification of phytochemicals based on?
Which of the following is a classification of phytochemicals based on?
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What is the primary reason for the beneficial effects of phytochemicals?
What is the primary reason for the beneficial effects of phytochemicals?
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Which of the following carotenoids is heat-sensitive?
Which of the following carotenoids is heat-sensitive?
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What is the primary function of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables?
What is the primary function of carotenoids in fruits and vegetables?
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Which of the following foods is a rich source of lycopene?
Which of the following foods is a rich source of lycopene?
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What is the estimated number of phytochemicals that have been identified?
What is the estimated number of phytochemicals that have been identified?
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Which of the following is an example of an oxygen-free carotenoid?
Which of the following is an example of an oxygen-free carotenoid?
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What is the primary benefit of functional foods beyond their nutrient content?
What is the primary benefit of functional foods beyond their nutrient content?
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Why are phytochemicals considered physiologically active?
Why are phytochemicals considered physiologically active?
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What is the primary mechanism by which phytochemicals prevent chronic diseases?
What is the primary mechanism by which phytochemicals prevent chronic diseases?
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What is the classification of phytochemicals based on their function in plants?
What is the classification of phytochemicals based on their function in plants?
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Which of the following chronic diseases is associated with a decreased risk due to phytochemical consumption?
Which of the following chronic diseases is associated with a decreased risk due to phytochemical consumption?
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What is the primary reason for the interest in functional foods, particularly in Japan?
What is the primary reason for the interest in functional foods, particularly in Japan?
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What is the characteristic of phytochemicals that allows them to provide health benefits?
What is the characteristic of phytochemicals that allows them to provide health benefits?
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Why are phytochemicals found in plant-based foods?
Why are phytochemicals found in plant-based foods?
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Study Notes
Phytoestrogens
- Bind to mammalian estrogen receptors and have effects similar to endogenous estrogens
- Isoflavones: found almost exclusively in soybeans and soybean products (e.g. genistin, daidzin)
- Lignans: found in a wide variety of plant-based foods, including seeds, whole grains, legumes, fruit, and vegetables
- Possible role in prevention of hormone-associated cancers, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and menopausal symptoms
Saponins
- Rich food source: legumes
- May have beneficial effects on blood cholesterol levels, cancer, bone health, and stimulation of the immune system
Glucosinolates
- Food source: Cruciferae (e.g. cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, turnip)
- Sulphoraphane: has anticarcinogenic and antioxidant effects
Monoterpenes
- Active substances in herbs and spices (e.g. menthol, limonene)
- Biological activity: limonene is an anticarcinogen
Polyphenols
- Flavonoids: found in fruit, vegetables, chocolate, wine, and tea
- Phenolic acids: hydroxycinnamic acids (e.g. p-coumaric, caffeic, ferulic, and sinapic acids)
- Stilbenes: Resveratrol
- Flavonoid contents of green leafy vegetables increase with ripeness
- Quercetin is the most common dietary flavonoid
Resveratrol
- A class of polyphenolic compounds called stilbenes
- Food sources: peanuts, grapes, red wine, and some berries
- Low bioavailability
- Health effects: prevention and/or treatment of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases
Phytosterols
- Collective term for plant-derived sterols and stanols
- Structurally related to cholesterol
- Good food sources: natural sources such as unrefined vegetable oils, whole grains, nuts, and seeds
- The most abundant sterols in plants are β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol
Classification of Phytochemicals
- Based on physiological effect and chemical structure
- Categories: Carotenoids, Polyphenols, Phytosterols, Phyto-estrogens, Glucosinolates, Saponins, and others
Carotenoids
- Food sources: widespread in fruits and vegetables (red and yellow pigments)
- Only 40-50 are significant for human nutrition
- Two types: oxygen-free (heat-stable) and oxygen-containing (heat-sensitive)
- The most important carotenoids in diets: α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, β-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and zeaxanthin
Phytochemicals
- Approximately 10,000 phytochemicals have been identified, with an estimated 60,000-100,000 remaining unknown.
- A mixed diet contains around 1.5 g of secondary plant metabolites.
- The beneficial effects of phytochemicals are thought to result from the synergistic actions of multiple constituents.
Classification of Phytochemicals
- Based on physiological effect and chemical structure, phytochemicals can be classified into:
- Carotenoids
- Polyphenols (flavonoids and phenolic acids, including resveratrol)
- Phytosterols
- Phyto-estrogens (isoflavones and lignans)
- Glucosinolates (sulforaphane)
- Saponins, protease inhibitors, monoterpenes, and sulphides
Color Examples
- Red foods provide lycopene.
- Yellow-green foods provide zeaxanthin.
- Red-purple foods contain anthocyanin.
- Orange foods contain β-carotene.
- Orange-yellow foods provide flavonoids.
- Green foods provide glucosinolate.
- White-green foods provide allyl sulfides.
Carotenoids
- Carotenoids are widespread in fruits and vegetables and provide red and yellow pigments essential for photosynthesis.
- Only 40-50 carotenoids are significant for human nutrition.
- There are two types of carotenoids: oxygen-free (heat-stable) and oxygen-containing (heat-sensitive).
- The most important carotenoids in diets are:
- α-carotene
- β-carotene
- Lycopene
- β-cryptoxanthin
- Lutein
- Zeaxanthin
Phytochemicals and Functional Foods
- Phytochemicals are bioactive compounds found in plants that may provide health benefits but are not considered essential nutrients.
- Functional foods are rich in phytochemicals and provide health benefits beyond those provided by their nutrients.
- The interest in functional foods began in Japan in the early 1980s.
Definition and Classification of Phytochemicals
- Phytochemicals are physiologically active non-nutrient compounds found in certain plant foods.
- They provide health benefits, are essential for plant interaction with the environment, and confer tastes, aromas, color, and other characteristics to foods.
Physiological Effects of Phytochemicals
- Major effects of phytochemicals include:
- Anticarcinogenic effects
- Antioxidative effects
- Immunomodulatory effects
- Antimicrobial effects
- Cholesterol-lowering effects
- Phytochemicals may affect drug metabolism.
Chocolate
- Cocoa is an important source of polyphenols (12-18% total weight).
- Major phenolic compounds in chocolate are the flavanols: catechin, epicatechin, and proanthocyanidins.
- Flavanols are a promising nutritional intervention for reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
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Description
This quiz covers phytoestrogens, plant components that bind to mammalian estrogen receptors, and their effects similar to endogenous estrogens. It also explores their biological activities, including the inhibition of cholesterol absorption.
