Nutraceutical is a term used to name bioactive compounds in foods that play important roles in health, although they are not essential. This term is used to name a specific nutrient present in a food, which is neither the food itself nor a medicine, for example Lycopene, which is a bioactive compound that can be found in tomatoes, for example, and which can be used to fight disease.
In addition to Lycopene, other nutraceuticals that have several health benefits are Resveratrol and Phytosterols, which can be found in wine and grape skin, respectively. Know the benefits of grape.
How to find and benefits
Nutraceuticals are made up of vitamins and minerals that can be used to meet the needs of the body. These compounds can be consumed in a variety of ways, for example:
- Consumed the own food that contains this nutraceutical;
- In dietary supplements
- In capsules or medicines handled in pharmacy, which must be prescribed by the doctor or nutritionist;
- In cereal bars;
- Soups and drinks.
In addition, nutraceuticals can be found in various forms such as dietary fibers, proteins, amino acids, antioxidant vitamins and minerals. See also the benefits of healthy eating.
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