Molecules (Apr 2021)

Nutraceuticals: Transformation of Conventional Foods into Health Promoters/Disease Preventers and Safety Considerations

  • Mudhi AlAli,
  • Maream Alqubaisy,
  • Mariam Nasser Aljaafari,
  • Asma Obaid AlAli,
  • Laila Baqais,
  • Aidin Molouki,
  • Aisha Abushelaibi,
  • Kok-Song Lai,
  • Swee-Hua Erin Lim

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092540
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 26, no. 9
p. 2540

Abstract

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Nutraceuticals are essential food constituents that provide nutritional benefits as well as medicinal effects. The benefits of these foods are due to the presence of active compounds such as carotenoids, collagen hydrolysate, and dietary fibers. Nutraceuticals have been found to positively affect cardiovascular and immune system health and have a role in infection and cancer prevention. Nutraceuticals can be categorized into different classes based on their nature and mode of action. In this review, different classifications of nutraceuticals and their potential therapeutic activity, such as anti-cancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-lipid activity in disease will be reviewed. Moreover, the different mechanisms of action of these products, applications, and safety upon consumers including current trends and future prospect of nutraceuticals will be included.

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