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Vegetables as Functional Foods

Thorat S. S.* , Thorat S. S.* , Zanwar S. R.**

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International Journal of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics 4(1):p 51-68, . | DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfnd.2322.0775.4116.6
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Abstract

 The adequate nutrition is essential for good health and physical and cognitive development of human body. It requires a diverse diet including staple foods, vegetables, fruits, animal-source foods. Over 60% of the world’s under nourished people live in Asia, and a quarter in Africa. Surprisingly,  nearly 60-80% of the Indian population is deficient in Vitamin D. Dietary calcium intake among Indians remains significantly low, mainly in those who have vitamin D deficiency, as its absorption is dependent on adequate levels of vitamin D. The most common B12 deficiency was not thought to be prevalent in India but recent studies have shown 47-49% prevalence. Adequate levels of vitamin B12 are required for conversion of inactive folate to its active form. Naturally, those without  adequate levels of  B12 are likely to suffer from folic acid deficiency. Vitamin A deficiency still remains a major public health nutritional problem in rural pre-school children of India.  It also makes children more susceptible to iron deficiency because of its crucial role in mobilising iron from the site where it is stored. More than 75% of toddlers in  India suffer from  iron-deficiency anemia and about 52 % of young girls are severely anemic. Deficiency of zinc is common in pregnant and lactating  women, forming a predominant cause of death in children from rural areas. 

India faces the human and economic threat posed by non communicable diseases (NCDs).  Cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes,  and other  NCDs are estimated to account for 60% of all deaths in India, making them the leading cause of death – ahead of injuries and communicable, maternal, prenatal, and nutritional conditions. At present, almost every third person in the society is under stress and having chronic disorders like diabetes, arthritis, allergy, cardiovascular disease, fatigue and  even cancer. The growing incidence of  NCDs causes great individual hardship and places enormous burden on society, untenable in the long run for any country or economy. Recently, there is decline in the physical and mental capabilities along with the social values. The modern synthetic diet, formulated to appeal to our inherent attraction to sugar, salt, fats, and calories at the expense of nutrition, leaves us  over-fed and under-nourished. A considerable portion of chronic human diseases, including diabetes and heart disease, appear to be related largely to a diet that is inadequate in the essential vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients,  and other constituents found in natural, unprocessed foods. The vegetables are rich in vitamin and mineral content, flavonoid, isoflavone, and carotenoid which are essential to maintain  health and fight disease. 
Vegetable are an immense store of active chemical compounds and considered as the cheapest and most easily available sources of these essential nutrients.
 
Keyword: Vitamins; Minerals; Phytonutrients; Flavonoid; Isoflavone; carotenoid.

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  • Thorat S. S.*
    ,
  • Thorat S. S.*
    ,
  • Zanwar S. R.**
    ,
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DOI: DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfnd.2322.0775.4116.6
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