Secondary plant substances are natural substances produced by plants for self-protection against exceedingly intense sun irradiation, diseases and biological enemies.
Their immense importance for people too was understood only much later.
The human body cannot produce these substances on its own and has to obtain them through nutrition.
Scientific research on their action are in progress all over the world and secondary plant substances are already considered the "Vitamins of the 21st Century".
The following table indicates what substances they are and the effects ascribed to them:
|
| Secondary plant substances |
Indications of the following effects |
|
|
A
|
B
|
C
|
D
|
E
|
F
|
G
|
H
|
I
|
J
|
| Carotenoids
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Phytosterins
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
| Saponins
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
| Glucosinolates
|
X
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
|
| Polyphenols
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
| Protease-inhibitors
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
X
|
|
| Monoterpene
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Phyto-estrogens
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Sulphides
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
X
|
| Phytic acid
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
X
|
|
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
|
A = anti-carcinogenic
B = anti-microbial
C = antioxidant
D = anti-thrombotic
E = immuno-modulating
F = anti-inflammatory
G = regulates blood pressure
H = reduces cholesterol
I = regulates blood glucose
J = helps digestion
|
Source: Ernährungsbericht 1996, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Ernährung.
for further reference: B.Watzl, Bioaktive Substanzen in Lebensmittel, 1999, ISBN 3-773-1301-7 |
