What is an Anti-Nutrient ?
The expressions anti-nutrient, antinutrient and anti nutrient tend to be used inter-changeably in books and articles about substances that adversely affect the uptake and use of nutrients by the human body.
Definition of anti-nutrient :
Anti-nutrients are substances that adversely affect the overall nutritional value of all foodstuffs consumed (including both food and drinks) by interfering with body processes such as*:
- absorption of nutrients such as vitamin and minerals
- the body's metabolic rate
- toxic effects.
There are many anti-nutrients. Their individual effects on the body vary because different antinutrients affect the absorption, metabolism, utilization and / or excretion of different nutrients, including micro-nutrients.
Depending on which nutrients are affected, the severity of the effect, and the intake (i.e. how much) of the anti-nutrients and affected nutrients, various nutritional deficiencies and their effects can occur.
For more about anti-nutrients, see which body systems are affected by anti-nutrient intake, which includes notes about how specific anti-nutrients affect body systems.