ARE ANTINUTRIENTS SAFE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION?

What Are Antinutrients? Antinutrients are any substance majorly plant compounds that causes disturbance with the process by which materials of growth and nutrients are being absorbed and metabolised.

Antinutrients may necessary not be bad at all times when there is food diversity, as phytates has proved to have specific importance in diets, but in a scenario where malnutrition and some gastrointestinal infections is involved, Antinutrients can pose a bigger danger on one's body system and without proper care can lead to nutritional diseases.

Types of Antinutrients

1. Phytates (Phytic Acid)

 2.  Oxalates (Oxalic Acid)

3. Lectins

4. Tannis

Phytates ( Phytic Acid): Phytates is considered an antinutrients because it reduces the bioavailability of protein in the gastrointestinal tract. It is found in plant and also impairs the absorption of Zinc, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese. 

Food sources

..Oats

..Beans

.. Legumes

.. Nuts

.. Sesame seeds

 .. Linseeds

.. Sunflower seeds

Oxalates (Oxalic Acid): Oxalates is a naturally occurring compound in plant but can also be synthesized by the body. When in excess they may cause kidney stone because oxalates binds to calcium as they leave the body. 

Food sources

.. Spinach

.. Almonds

.. Soybeans

.. Potatoes

.. Beet

Lectins: Lectins are carbohydrates-binding protein that may reduce the body's ability to absorb nutrients. They causes inflammation to the walls of the intestine.

Food sources

.. Potatoes

.. Peanuts

.. Tomatoes

.. Wheat

 .. Soybean

.. Red kidney bean

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Article by: 

Olukogbe Oluwagbemisola

Food, Nutrients and Health

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