Minerals and Nutraceuticals in Vegetables and Their Human Health Benefits

Abstract

Vegetables are considered essential for well-balanced diets since they supply minerals and nutraceuticals. Regular consumption of a vegetable rich diet has undeniable effects on health because they have the hability in disease prevention and treatment. The mechanism by which vegetables decrease risk of disease is complex and largely unknown. Minerals and nutraceuticals provide substrates for biochemical reactions, cofactors of enzymatic reactions, inhibitors of enzymatic reactions, compounds that enhance the absorption and or stability of essential nutrients, selective growth factors for beneficial gastrointestinal bacteria, fermentation substrates for beneficial oral, gastric or intestinal bacteria, selective inhibitors of deleterious intestinal bacteria, absorbents and sequestrants that bind to and eliminate undesirable compounds in the intestine, etc. Some phytochemicals found in vegetables are powerful antioxidants that are hypothesised to lower the risk of chronic disease by protecting against free radical damage, altering metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens, and even regulating processes that affect tumour cell behaviour. Dietary fibre levels may also have a role in improving overall health. Each vegetable contains a unique combination of minerals and nutraceuticals. A great diversity of vegetables should be eaten to ensure that individual’s diet includes a combination of minerals and nutraceuticals and to get all the health benefits.