Nutraceutical

The term nutraceuticals are derived from nutrition and pharmaceuticals, and refers to food-derived ingredients that combine nutritional and health benefits. Nutraceuticals have been promoted in response to significant changes in people's dietary patterns and the desire to improve their quality of life and health. As an important source of active ingredients in nutraceuticals, plant extracts are increasingly widely applied in the R&D and production of nutraceuticals. Plant extract nutraceuticals contribute to promoting and maintaining good health, increasing life expectancy and quality of life. They also play a role in improving the functioning of the digestive system, reducing overweight and obesity, lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, as well as preventing osteoporosis.

• Improving the functioning of the digestive system

Certain plant extracts can improve the functioning of the digestive system in a variety of ways, including activating the digestive process, promoting easy bowel movements, and reducing flatulence, bloating, and digestive discomfort. Plant extract active ingredients with the potential to improve the function of the digestive system include prebiotics and dietary fiber.

• Reducing overweight and obesity

Till today, a variety of plant extract active ingredients have been shown to have the ability to reduce overweight and obesity, including polyphenols, alkaloids, terpenoids and others. These ingredients exert their obesity-reducing effects through suppressing appetite, accelerating fat burning and improving carbohydrate metabolism.

• Reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases

Some plant extracts have antioxidative, antiangiogenic, anti-ischemic, and anti-inflammatory activities that reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The active ingredients of such plant extracts include phytosterols, flavonoids, polyphenols, gamma-linolenic acid and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

• Preventing osteoporosis

A number of plant extract active ingredients have been shown to have a preventive effect against osteoporosis, e.g., soy isoflavones, catechin, thymol. These plant extracts benefit bones through different pathways. Some reduce systemic levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines associated with bone loss, and yet others act in the gastrointestinal tract to enhance calcium absorption.