Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds
Plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of lifestyle-induced chronic diseases. The thousands of phytochemicals they contain are implicated in cellular-based mechanisms to promote antioxidant defense and reduce inflammation. While recommendations encourage the intake of fruits and vegetabl...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-09-01
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| Series: | Nutrients |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/10/2929 |
| _version_ | 1797552689044783104 |
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| author | Weston Petroski Deanna M. Minich |
| author_facet | Weston Petroski Deanna M. Minich |
| author_sort | Weston Petroski |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Plant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of lifestyle-induced chronic diseases. The thousands of phytochemicals they contain are implicated in cellular-based mechanisms to promote antioxidant defense and reduce inflammation. While recommendations encourage the intake of fruits and vegetables, most people fall short of their target daily intake. Despite the need to increase plant-food consumption, there have been some concerns raised about whether they are beneficial because of the various ‘anti-nutrient’ compounds they contain. Some of these anti-nutrients that have been called into question included lectins, oxalates, goitrogens, phytoestrogens, phytates, and tannins. As a result, there may be select individuals with specific health conditions who elect to decrease their plant food intake despite potential benefits. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the science of these ‘anti-nutrients’ and weigh the evidence of whether these compounds pose an actual health threat. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:04:41Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6194a86ac2524b3d81ee97f08038c208 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6643 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T16:04:41Z |
| publishDate | 2020-09-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nutrients |
| spelling | doaj.art-6194a86ac2524b3d81ee97f08038c2082023-11-20T14:59:50ZengMDPI AGNutrients2072-66432020-09-011210292910.3390/nu12102929Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant CompoundsWeston Petroski0Deanna M. Minich1Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine Graduate Program, University of Western States, 2900 NE 132nd Ave, Portland, OR 97230, USAHuman Nutrition and Functional Medicine Graduate Program, University of Western States, 2900 NE 132nd Ave, Portland, OR 97230, USAPlant-based diets are associated with reduced risk of lifestyle-induced chronic diseases. The thousands of phytochemicals they contain are implicated in cellular-based mechanisms to promote antioxidant defense and reduce inflammation. While recommendations encourage the intake of fruits and vegetables, most people fall short of their target daily intake. Despite the need to increase plant-food consumption, there have been some concerns raised about whether they are beneficial because of the various ‘anti-nutrient’ compounds they contain. Some of these anti-nutrients that have been called into question included lectins, oxalates, goitrogens, phytoestrogens, phytates, and tannins. As a result, there may be select individuals with specific health conditions who elect to decrease their plant food intake despite potential benefits. The purpose of this narrative review is to examine the science of these ‘anti-nutrients’ and weigh the evidence of whether these compounds pose an actual health threat.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/10/2929anti-nutrientgoitrogensoxalatesphytatesphytoestrogensplant-based diet |
| spellingShingle | Weston Petroski Deanna M. Minich Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds Nutrients anti-nutrient goitrogens oxalates phytates phytoestrogens plant-based diet |
| title | Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds |
| title_full | Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds |
| title_fullStr | Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds |
| title_full_unstemmed | Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds |
| title_short | Is There Such a Thing as “Anti-Nutrients”? A Narrative Review of Perceived Problematic Plant Compounds |
| title_sort | is there such a thing as anti nutrients a narrative review of perceived problematic plant compounds |
| topic | anti-nutrient goitrogens oxalates phytates phytoestrogens plant-based diet |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/12/10/2929 |
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