490
Keywords Endocrine disrupting chemicals · Metabolic disorders · Bioactive
compounds · Diabetes mellitus · Hypertension · Obesity
Introduction
Bioactive compounds are non-nutritional substances that are found in food or
dietary supplements and are responsible for changes in health status of living organisms [1, 2]. The impact of these changes can be positive or negative and depends on
respective bioactive substance, its dose, bioavailability, and concentration in specific cells, tissues, or whole body [3]. These compounds are typically produced as
secondary metabolites that play an important role in defense and signaling [4].
Therefore, these secondary metabolites exert pharmacological effects in humans [5].
Phytomedicines are becoming increasingly popular for their therapeutic
responses as an alternative to synthetic medicines [6]. They are more acceptable
due to several advantages including fewer side effects, ease in availability, and
cost- effectiveness. The different therapeutic activities of medicinal plants (antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-malarial, anticholinergic, hypoglycemic, anti-leprosy, and antidiabetic) are attributed to the bioactive
principles [7].
Antioxidants, carotenoids, essential oil, and flavors are bioactive compounds that
are incorporated in food products. These compounds not only develop nutritional
and health properties but also enhance sensory characteristics and are responsible to
modulate metabolic processes in human body [8].Currently, there are no recommended daily intake values of bioactive compounds. Since these compounds are
distinct from nutrients and have effect on human health, therefore, it is necessary to
establish safe recommended daily intake [9].
Source of Bioactive Compounds
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are major sources of bioactive compounds [10].
These sources include an extremely heterogeneous class of bioactive compounds
(phytosterols, organosulfur compounds, carotenoids, tocopherols) in different concentrations [11]. However, bioactive compounds are not only confined to plants.
They are also obtained from other living organisms and microorganisms producing
useful secondary metabolites [12].
T. H. Mallhi et al.
Keywords Endocrine disrupting chemicals · Metabolic disorders · Bioactive
compounds · Diabetes mellitus · Hypertension · Obesity
Introduction
Bioactive compounds are non-nutritional substances that are found in food or
dietary supplements and are responsible for changes in health status of living organisms [1, 2]. The impact of these changes can be positive or negative and depends on
respective bioactive substance, its dose, bioavailability, and concentration in specific cells, tissues, or whole body [3]. These compounds are typically produced as
secondary metabolites that play an important role in defense and signaling [4].
Therefore, these secondary metabolites exert pharmacological effects in humans [5].
Phytomedicines are becoming increasingly popular for their therapeutic
responses as an alternative to synthetic medicines [6]. They are more acceptable
due to several advantages including fewer side effects, ease in availability, and
cost- effectiveness. The different therapeutic activities of medicinal plants (antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, antimicrobial, anti-malarial, anticholinergic, hypoglycemic, anti-leprosy, and antidiabetic) are attributed to the bioactive
principles [7].
Antioxidants, carotenoids, essential oil, and flavors are bioactive compounds that
are incorporated in food products. These compounds not only develop nutritional
and health properties but also enhance sensory characteristics and are responsible to
modulate metabolic processes in human body [8].Currently, there are no recommended daily intake values of bioactive compounds. Since these compounds are
distinct from nutrients and have effect on human health, therefore, it is necessary to
establish safe recommended daily intake [9].
Source of Bioactive Compounds
Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains are major sources of bioactive compounds [10].
These sources include an extremely heterogeneous class of bioactive compounds
(phytosterols, organosulfur compounds, carotenoids, tocopherols) in different concentrations [11]. However, bioactive compounds are not only confined to plants.
They are also obtained from other living organisms and microorganisms producing
useful secondary metabolites [12].
T. H. Mallhi et al.