Unit 7 - Adulthood Nutrition (Part 2)

Question 1

Why are herbal supplements generally not recommended?

Answer 1

• Increased risk of toxicity, and possible interference with prescription drugs
• Possible loss of other phytochemicals in the preparation and processing
• Many unproven health claims made

Question 2

How can a person increase dietary intake of phytochemicals?

Answer 2

Increase consumption of plants foods (fruits and vegetables, herbs and spices)

Question 3

What foods are rich in flavonoids?

Answer 3

Red, purple fruits such grapes, blueberries and other berries

Question 4

Are Isoflavones a flavonoid or a phytoestrogen?

Answer 4

Both - it is a type of flavonoid that is also a phytoestrogen

Question 5

Why are phytochemical supplements less recommended?

Answer 5

• greater risk of toxicity
• more phytochemicals are present in the whole plant or whole food compared to an extract

Question 6

What foods is the flavonoid Quercetin found in?

Answer 6

Tea, apples, red onions, red grapes, broccoli

Question 7

T/F: Lignans have a direct phytoestrogen effect.

Answer 7

False - they have to be converted by gut bacteria to have a phytoestrogen effect.

Question 8

What is an added benefit of carotenoids?

Answer 8

Some carotenoids have vitamin A

Question 9

Which carotenoid is under research for possible protection against prostate cancer?

Answer 9

Lycopene

Question 10

___________________ is a phytochemical that can have hormone-related effects.

Answer 10

Phytoestrogens

Question 11

What type of foods are organosulfur compounds found in?

Answer 11

• The cabbage family (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower)
• The allium family (garlic, onions, leeks)

Question 12

What is the bioactive compound in garlic? What are the potential benefits of garlic?

Answer 12

1. Allicin
2. Anticoagulant and antibacterial effects

Question 13

What is different biochemically about ‘odorless’ garlic?

Answer 13

It contains alliin (a precursor of allicin)

Note: 10 mg of alliin is equivalent to 5 mg of allicin (half as potent) = 1 clove

Question 14

Camellia sinensis is the source of the common _______________________.

Answer 14

green (oxidized) and black (unoxidized) teas

Question 15

What phytochemicals are found in tea?

Answer 15

flavonoids and catechins

Question 16

What is the potential benefit of drinking green and black teas?

Answer 16

May reduce risk of cardiovascular disease

Question 17

What phytochemical is found in vaccinium berries? What is a potential benefit of these berries?

Answer 17

1. Anthocyanin flavonoids
2. Potential anti-oxidants

Question 18

T/F: You can get just as much benefit from berry extract as from the whole berry.

Answer 18

False - the whole berry extract contains greater bioactivity (mixture of anthocyanins and other phytochemicals) than the single phytochemical (one type of anthocyanin)

Question 19

List the benefits of soy.

Answer 19

• May lower risk of some chronic diseases including cardiovascular (under research, not proven)
• Source of high-quality protein
• Source of isoflavones, may lower risk of some hormone-sensitive cancers

Question 20

What are some potential problems with very high soy consumption?

Answer 20

• May be allergenic
• Contains substances that may lower absorption of some micronutrients such as minerals,
• May disrupt thyroid function in some people
• May increase the growth of some breast cancer cell subtypes in women with breast cancer