Nature has blessed the human and animal beings with great food diversity in terms of cereal grains to maintain their health status. Among the cereal grains, wheat, rice and maize (Zea mays) are the major ones that are considered as stable food across the globe due to their high nutritional significance enriched with abundant amount of macronutrients like starch, fibre, protein and fat along with micronutrients like B-complex vitamins, ß-carotene and essential minerals, i.e. magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, copper, etc. Maize is also considered as low-cost-high-benefit ratio for human beings that help in the prevention of metabolic syndrome due to the presence of different antioxidants like phenols and phytosterols in it. Maize or corn can be consumed only after processing into different food items such as popcorn, flour, tortillas, cornflakes, corn germ oil, etc. Maize products are also used in supplementary nutritional programmes to feed the malnourished children and to improve their health status. However, the quality of maize products depends upon the agronomic practices and climatic conditions.
Abstract:The aim of the article was to review phytosterols as functional food and its significance in lowering cholesterol as well as its specific effect on human health. Phytosterols has been known for its cholesterol lowering action long time back but the uprising of phytosterols in form of functional foods gained the interest once again. Fatty food matrix provides optimal solubility but fortification of phytosterols with other food matrices like low fat fermented milk, bread, juice are showing positive results. A dose of 2 g/day of either steryl or stanyl esters has been prescribed for an optimum effect which has been confirmed by FDA and EC. A number of studies have documented the safety and the efficiency of phytosterols. But there is still a big question mark on the use of it because of their adverse effect on body in form of Phytosterol oxidation products (POPs). It needs further investigation to elucidate effect of POPs within body.
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