Selected Non-Nutrients

Question 1

What are non-nutrients?

Answer 1

Substances that may occur in the diet and may have an affect on our health even though they are not nutrients

Question 2

What type of compounds may have advantageous health effects when obtained in small doses?

Answer 2

Some toxic compounds found in plants

Question 3

Name four selected non-nutrients.

Answer 3

• Phenols
• Polyphenols
• Sulphur containing compounds
• Alkaloids

Question 4

What are phenols?

Answer 4

Hydroxyl group bonded to an aromatic hydrocarbon group

Question 5

Where are phenols found?

Answer 5

In smoked foods

Question 6

What can phenols act as?

Answer 6

Antioxidants

Question 7

Phenols donate a ______ forming _______

Answer 7

Hydrogen

Radicals

Question 8

What are polyphenols?

Answer 8

Compounds with more than one phenol ring

Question 9

What rings in polyphenols are labelled A and B?

Answer 9

The two aromatic phenolic rings

Question 10

What ring in polyphenols is labelled C?

Answer 10

The central heterocyclic ring

Question 11

How do polyphenols differ from each other?

Answer 11

The oxidation status of the central heterocyclic ring

Question 12

What are polyphenols also known as?

Answer 12

Flavonoids

Question 13

What are polyphenols generally presented as in the diet?

Answer 13

Glycosides

Question 14

Why do plants develop multiple polyphenols?

Answer 14

In response to stresses

• Against pathogens
• Against UV light

Question 15

Name four polyphenols.

Answer 15

Flavanols
Flavonols
Isoflavones
Anthocyanidins

Question 16

Give an example of a flavanol and name a source.

Answer 16

Catechin

Sources = wine, apples

Question 17

Given an example of a flavonol and name a source.

Answer 17

Quercetin

Sources = onions, green tea

Question 18

Give an example of an isoflavone and name a source.

Answer 18

Daidzein

Sources = soy beans, soy milk

Question 19

Given an example of an anthocyanidin and name a source.

Answer 19

Cyanidin

Sources = blackcurrants, strawberries

Question 20

How are interacting glycosides absorbed?

Answer 20

Interacting glycosides interact with transporters on the duodenum resulting in absorption

Question 21

Name two interacting glycoside.

Answer 21

Glucoside

Galactoside

Question 22

How are non-interacting glycosides absorbed?

Answer 22

They pass to the colon where they are degraded by bacterial glycosidases
Once hydrolysed it is absorbed

Question 23

Name a non-interacting glycoside.

Answer 23

Rutinoside

Question 24

What is a longitudinal study?

Answer 24

A study which follows subjects over time with continuous monitoring

Question 25

What is a cross-sectional study?

Answer 25

A study which measures the health of a population at a specific time

Question 26

Name three studies which looked at the relationship between polyphenol intake and CHD.

Answer 26

Zutphen Elderly study
Finish study
Caerphilly study

Question 27

What is the oxidative hypothesis of disease?

Answer 27

Elevated free radicals and oxidative stress can lead to continuous damage of important biomolecules

Question 28

What evidence of oxidative stress can be seen in the body?

Answer 28

CHD
Diabetes
Ageing
Neuro-degenerative disease

Question 29

How do some phenols and polyphenols provide protection against disease?

Answer 29

The suppress radical-generating enzymes
They scavenge free radicals
They protect antioxidant vitamins

Question 30

What are terpenes?

Answer 30

A selected non-nutrient that is fat soluble

Question 31

What is the structure of a basic terpene unit?

Answer 31

Unsaturated branched five carbon chain

Question 32

What is a six unit terpene called and what are its functions?

Answer 32

Triterpene

• Some boost the immune system
• Some are important in the eye (lutein and zeaxanthin)

Question 33

What is an eight unit terpene called and what are its functions?

Answer 33

Teraterpene

• Sterols
• Stanols = reduce cholesterol absorption in the gut

Question 34

What is cafestol and what is its function?

Answer 34

A terpene extracted only by the prolonged boiling of coffee

- Reversibly increases LDL cholesterol levels

Question 35

Where are sulphur containing compounds found?

Answer 35

Onions
Chives
Garlic

Question 36

When and how are sulphur containing compounds produced?

Answer 36

Enzymatically when tissue is damaged

Question 37

How can the production of sulphur containing compounds be limited?

Answer 37

By soaking or cooking in vinegar

Question 38

What do alkaloids contain?

Answer 38

Nitrogen

Question 39

Name three alkaloids.

Answer 39

Caffine = mild stimulant
Quinine = anti-malarial
Solanum alkaloids = in potatoes - high levels produce a bitter taste and GI symptoms