Correct Answer - Option 3 : Natural toxicant
Antinutrients or anti-nutritional factors are naturally occurring compounds that inhibit the absorption of nutrients in the body. These are called natural toxicants because most of them are found in natural sources of food, especially plant-based foods, and are considered toxic because ingestion of these causes malabsorption of nutrients as well as impaired digestion causing discomfort.
- Antinutrients are found in vegetables, eggs, and most legumes.
- Antinutrients can be destroyed by methods like cooking, germination, malting, fermentation, etc., before consumption.
- The lower the number of antinutrients, the greater will be the bioavailability of other nutrients.
Some examples of antinutrients are -
- Phytic acid binds with minerals like calcium, zinc, iron, and copper and is found in nuts, seeds, and grains.
- Oxalates bind with calcium and prevent its absorption, mostly found in sesame seeds, soybean, and millets.
- Glucosinolates interfere with the absorption of iodine and lead to impaired functioning of the thyroid gland. Found in cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli.
- Protease inhibitor inhibits the action of protease enzyme and interfere in protein digestion. One example is lectin and is found in legumes.
- Amylase inhibitor interferes with the action of amylase enzyme and the digestion of carbohydrates. Found in beans.
- Lipase inhibitor prevents the working of lipase enzyme, hence interfering breakdown of lipase.
- Avidin inhibits the absorption of biotin and is found in eggs.
There are several other antinutritional factors like saponins, tannins, isoflavones, which inhibit the functioning of digestive enzymes.
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Primary metabolites - Primary metabolites are involved in the normal growth, development, and reproduction of an organism. Examples include carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
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Metabolic byproducts - these are compounds made as a result of chemical reactions within the body. These are "left-overs" as such. For Example, when making ATP using phosphocreatine, the byproduct is creatine.
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Synthetic toxicants - these are man-made toxicants that are produced by industrial waste and pollution.
