Uswa Ahmad1, Mahwish2*, Farhana Nousheen3, Roshina Rabail4
1School of Human Nutrition & Dietetics, Minhaj
University, Lahore, Pakistan
2Institute of Food Science and Nutrition, University of
Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
3Department of Home Economics, Government College
University, Faisalabad, Pakistan
4National Institute of Food Science and Technology,
University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan
*For Correspondence
mahwish@uos.edu.pk
Nutraceuticals include various
bioactive compounds present in edible natural sources like anti-oxidants,
phytochemicals, probiotics, amino acids and fatty acids. In 1989, De Felice
first described the term “Nutraceutical” that comes from the terms “Nutrition”
and “Pharmaceutical”. According to him, nutraceutical as a component of food
plays an important role to prevent and treat different illnesses. Currently,
nutraceutical business is increasing fast as people are very much concern about
their health. The international market of nutraceutical is expected to rise
from $241 billion to $373 billion from 2019-2025. Nutraceuticals are capable of
providing additional health benefits when taken as part of daily diet.
Nutraceuticals are critically important in normal physiological functions of
human body and also minimize the danger of life-threatening aliments.
Nutraceuticals are derived from both plant and animal sources. Nutraceuticals
are globally used as dietary supplements, herbal products, probiotics, prebiotics
and medicinal foods to treat and prevent various health problems like
overweight, CVD, cancer, bone problems, diabetes, insomnia, gastrointestinal
issues, various types of cancers, blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, pain
management and depression. Mostly, nutraceuticals as dietary supplements are
available in the concentrated form as pills, powders, liquid, capsule and soft
gels which can be utilized orally along with daily food. Nutraceuticals offer a
safer and more natural substitute to synthetic drugs with no or fewer side
effects. In conclusion, nutraceutical industry has become well-known and
popular all over the world due to its therapeutic benefits.
Keywords
Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, Phytochemicals, Probiotics, Herbs, Supplements
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