Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Nutrition Semester 2 > Phytonutrients and phytochemistry > Flashcards

Phytonutrients and phytochemistry Flashcards

1
Q

What are phytonutrients?

A

The plant makes chemicals in reaction to it’s environment.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What may phytochemicals be?

A
  1. medicines for the plant itself.
  2. protection from animal predation.
  3. communication between plants, animals and bacteria.
  4. chemicals produced as part of plant growth cycle.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

How do phytonutrients work?

A
  1. function as antioxidants
  2. regulate the cell cycle
  3. increase detoxification of carinogenic compounds
  4. reduce DNA damage
  5. mimic or interact with hormones
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Are all phytochemicals helpful? Why?

A

No. Some phytochemicals are dangerous or toxic to the body. E.g. many alkaloid class of phytochemicals are the basis for pharmaceutical drugs (morphine).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Phytates (found in beans, grains and legumes) can prevent the absorption of which minerals?

A

zinc
iron
calcium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Identify 4 differences in phytochemicals in plants.

A
  1. soil and water conditions
  2. humans and other animals around them
  3. climate
  4. bacteria, virus and pathogens
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What can knowing the polarity and solubility help us find out about phytochemicals?

A

The best extraction methods for ingesting or preserving.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Phenols and polyphenols are also known as?

A

Phenolic compounds

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What do the phenolic compounds include?

A

flavonoids
phenolic acids
lignans
tyrosol esters

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What are the 6 major subgroups of flavonoids?

A 
flavanols
flavones
flavonols
flavanones
anthocyanins
isoflavonoids
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are flavonoids and carotenes together responsible for?

A

The colouring of fruits, vegetables and herbs.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What actions do flavonoids contain?

A 
antioxidant
anti-allergic
anti-cancer
anti-inflammatory
anti-viral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is epicatechin (flavonoid)?

A

A strong antioxidant, has insulin mimic action and improves heart health.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Name 2 health benefits of catechins.

A

reduce damage to the brain after a stroke (in mice)

enhances muscle fatigue resistance (in mice)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are the health benefits of quercetin?

A

cancer (breast, colon, leaukaemia)
antioxidant and CVD prevention (reduced oxidised LDL)
athletes (improves lean body mass)
immune (inhibits histamine)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What is kaemferol?

A

A flavonoid. A yellow coloured powder and a strong antioxidant

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Name two health benefits of kaemferol.

A
  1. Prevents arteriosclerosis by inhibiting the oxidation of LDL and formation of platelets in the blood.
  2. Chemopreventative agent - inhibits formation of cancer cells.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Name the flavonoid in grapefruit? What are the health benefits of grapefruit?

A 
Naringin.
antioxidant
anti-carcinogenic
cholesterol lowering activity
reduces retinal disease linked to diabetes.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What are the contraindications of kaemferol?

A

Can interfere with certain drug metabolism including calcium channel blockers, sedatives, anti-depressants, warfarin, caffeine and oestrogen.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What is another name given to isolfavones and why?

A

Phytoestrogens because they have some oestrogen activity.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

The richest food source of isoflavones is?

A

soybeans especially soy protein (tofu)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

The biological effects of soy isofavones are strongly influenced by their metabolism which is strongly influenced by what?

A

Dependent on the activity of bacteria that colonize the human intestine.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Name 2 benefits of soy isoflavones and other phytoestrogens?

A

Oestrogenic effects in some tissues could help maintain bone density (osteoporosis)and improve blood lipid profiles (CVD).

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Soy protein isolates prepared by ? tends to retain the isoflavones?

A

aqueous wash processes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the western equivalent of phytoestrogens instead of soy?

A

Lignans

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Does flaxseed oil provide lignans?

A

No only the seed.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What are the health benefits of lignans (in particular flaxseed)?

A

might relieve constipation
lowers risk of lung cancer
slow proliferation of prostate epithelium
may lower blood glucose levels

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What are proanthocyanidins?

A

Oligomeric flavonoids, mainly found in the skin of grapes. Gives it it’s red, blue, purple colours.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

What are the health benefits of proanthocyanidins?

A

antioxidant
cardio protective effect
stabilise collagen and elastin (anti-aging)
anti-cancer
anti-allergic (inhibits enzymes that produce histamine)

30
Q

High levels of anthocyanins are found in?

A

Acai, blackcurrent, blueberry, bilberry, cherry, red grape and purple corn.

31
Q

What are anthocyanins protective against in plants?

A

UV radiation

32
Q

What group does cyanidin belong to and where can you find them?

A

Anthocyanins.

In most red coloured berries and some other fruits.

33
Q

What are some of the health benefits of cyanidin?

A

anticarcinogenic activity
vasprotective
anti-inflammatory
anti diabetes

34
Q

What is the most studied stilbenoid?

A

Resveratrol

35
Q

What are the health benefits of resveratrol?

A 
heart health
anti-aging (marketed use)
anti-toxic
may increase sperm count and testosterone levels in males
antioxidant
anti-cancer
36
Q

How can red wine consumption help with CVD?

A

it contains resveratrol and even higher levels of flavonoids (compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti atherogenic properties).

37
Q

Identify an interaction/safety concern with resveratrol.

A

High intake from supplements could increase the risk of bleeding when taking anticoagulant drugs such as warfarin.

38
Q

What are phytosterols?

A

Plant derived lipids that are similar in structure and function to cholesterol.

39
Q

What is the outcome of high intakes of plant sterols or stanols?

A

It can lower serum total and LDL cholesterol concentrations in humans.

40
Q

What can sitosterols help induce?

A

Aptosis when added to cultured human prostate, brest and colon cancer cells.

41
Q

How can sitosterols help benign prostatic hyperplasia patients?

A

Significantly improve urinary symptoms and increases maximum urinary flow

42
Q

What are isothiocyanates?

A

Biologically active breakdown products of the sulphur rich glucosinolates.

43
Q

What are the food sources of isothiocyanates?

A

cruciferous veg such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, bok choi, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, watercress

44
Q

How can we increase the absorption of isothiocyanates?

A

By chewing raw cruciferous veg which increases the glucosinolate contact with myrosinase (enzyme that catalyses the hydrolysis of glucosinates).

45
Q

How can isothiocyanates inhibit carcinogen activation?

A

CYP450 enzymes (cytochrome)

46
Q

What is indole-3-carbinol (I3C)?

A

A compound derived by the enzymatic hydrolysis of a specific glucosinate known as glucobrassicin, which is first broken down into Di-Indole Methane (DIM).

47
Q

Indole-3-carbinol induces which enzymes?

A

Phase 1 and 2.

48
Q

Indole-3-carbinol induces CYP1A1 (phase 1 enzyme). What is this responsible for?

A

oestrogen metabolism, decreasing the availability of oestrogen metabolites that promote cancer growth.

49
Q

Name two interactions/safety concerns with Indole-3-Carbinol.

A

skin rash

tremor

50
Q

How are carotenoids absorbed?

A

Highly hydrophobic and absorbed via lipids.

51
Q

What are the most common carotenoids in western diets (5)?

A 
alpha carotene
beta-carotene
beta cryptoxanthin
lutein zeaxanthin
lycopene
52
Q

Food sources of carotenoids

A

yellow, orange and red fruits and vegetable and green vegetables.

53
Q

The conversion of pro vitamin A to vitamin A is dependent on what?

A

status of vitamin A in individual. It is inhibited when vit A stores are high.

54
Q

Name two therapeutic benefits of a diet rich in carotenoids.

A
  1. can decrease the risk of ovarian cancer in postmenopausal women.
  2. reduces the risk of breast cancer in premenopausal women.
55
Q

Name 3 food sources rich in beta carotene.

A

carrots
pumpkin seed
spinach

56
Q

Why doesn’t high intake of beta carotene result in vitamin A toxicity? What can high doses cause?

A

Because the proportion converted to vitamin A decreases as beta-carotene intake increases.
Yellow or orange skin pigmentation.

57
Q

Which 3 groups of people should not take beta-carotene supplements?

A

smokers
people consuming alcohol
people with a history of asbestos

58
Q

What are the therapeutic effects of consuming high amounts of lutein in your diet?

A

reduced risk of developing Age Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
reduce cancer risk reducing oxidative damage to DNA..

59
Q

Which food sources are astaxanthins found?

A

algae
crustaceans
fish

60
Q

What are the properties found in astaxanthins?

A 
antioxidant
anti-tumour
anti-cancer
anti-diabetic
anti-inflammation
61
Q

What is Lycopene?

A

Non vitamin A carotenoid, it is a fat soluble red pigment produced by plants.

62
Q

What are the food sources of lycopene?

A 
Mainly tomatoes
Guava
pink grapefruit
watermelon
papaya
63
Q

What are the properties found in lycopene?

A 
hypo-cholesterolemic
cardio-protective
anti-inflammatory
anti-mutagenic
anti-cancer
64
Q

Which type of cancer may help with lycopene consumption and why?

A

prostate cancer, because the highest amount of lycopene is found in the testes. It reduces proliferation of prostatic epithelial cells.

65
Q

How is lycopene best absorbed?

A

Processed and cooked sources rather than raw. Mixing with oils and fats increases bio-availability.

66
Q

Limonene is classified chemically as?

A

monoterpene

67
Q

What might limonene prevent and stimulate?

A

tumour cell proliferation

immune system

68
Q

What symptoms might oral limonene cause?

A

nausea
vomiting
diarrhoea

69
Q

What are punicalagins?

A

Tannins, large polyphenol compounds found in pomegranates.

70
Q

Studies show that Pomegranate juice may slow down what?

A

progression of atherosclerosis.

71
Q

Why might patients be asked to stop drinking/eat pomegranates?

A

Consumption of pomegranates for many years may cause swelling of the tongue or face.

72
Q

What drug interaction does pomegranate juice have?

A

ACE inhibitor side effects

Nutrition Semester 2 (18 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions