Abstract
The utilization of dietary compounds to target, treat, and even prevent certain diseases has become an area of great and fundamental interest. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is associated with a low incidence of chronic degenerative disorders common to Western populations, and compelling evidence points to a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases in Mediterranean countries compared with other industrialized countries. These observations may be related to beneficial compounds in the diet, including antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and many biologically active molecules. A new diet element has recently contributed to improve the phytochemical diversity of healthy diets and their beneficial potential effects: melatonin. Melatonin was first identified in plants in 1995, and its medicinal and nutritional relevance to both animals and humans and its functions in plants have acquired diffuse interest. In particular, melatonin has been identified in a very large number of plant species. So far, it has been detected and quantified in the roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds of a considerable variety of spermatophyte species that are relevant to humans as food and medicinal plants. When plant products are eaten, melatonin is absorbed through the gut and influences the levels of indoleamine in the blood as well as improving antioxidant status. The concentration of melatonin in edible plants varies widely and, to date, it is difficult to calculate how a specific diet may positively influence human health. This chapter will summarize and update current knowledge about melatonin in plant foods and medicinal herbs, and provide an overview of the major implications of the consumption of plant foods containing melatonin for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and protection against diseases.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Serotonin and Melatonin |
| Subtitle of host publication | Their Functional Role in Plants, Food, Phytomedicine, and Human Health |
| Publisher | Taylor and Francis |
| Pages | 271-296 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9781498739061 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781498739054 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jan 1 2017 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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Keywords
- Beverages
- Food
- Medicinal herbs
- Melatonin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Psychology(all)
Cite this
Melatonin in plant-based food : Implications for human health. / Favero, Gaia; Rezzani, Rita; Rodella, Luigi Fabrizio; Nardo, Lorenzo; Oliveira, Vitor Antunes.
Serotonin and Melatonin: Their Functional Role in Plants, Food, Phytomedicine, and Human Health. Taylor and Francis, 2017. p. 271-296.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
}
TY - CHAP
T1 - Melatonin in plant-based food
T2 - Implications for human health
AU - Favero, Gaia
AU - Rezzani, Rita
AU - Rodella, Luigi Fabrizio
AU - Nardo, Lorenzo
AU - Oliveira, Vitor Antunes
PY - 2017/1/1
Y1 - 2017/1/1
N2 - The utilization of dietary compounds to target, treat, and even prevent certain diseases has become an area of great and fundamental interest. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is associated with a low incidence of chronic degenerative disorders common to Western populations, and compelling evidence points to a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases in Mediterranean countries compared with other industrialized countries. These observations may be related to beneficial compounds in the diet, including antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and many biologically active molecules. A new diet element has recently contributed to improve the phytochemical diversity of healthy diets and their beneficial potential effects: melatonin. Melatonin was first identified in plants in 1995, and its medicinal and nutritional relevance to both animals and humans and its functions in plants have acquired diffuse interest. In particular, melatonin has been identified in a very large number of plant species. So far, it has been detected and quantified in the roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds of a considerable variety of spermatophyte species that are relevant to humans as food and medicinal plants. When plant products are eaten, melatonin is absorbed through the gut and influences the levels of indoleamine in the blood as well as improving antioxidant status. The concentration of melatonin in edible plants varies widely and, to date, it is difficult to calculate how a specific diet may positively influence human health. This chapter will summarize and update current knowledge about melatonin in plant foods and medicinal herbs, and provide an overview of the major implications of the consumption of plant foods containing melatonin for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and protection against diseases.
AB - The utilization of dietary compounds to target, treat, and even prevent certain diseases has become an area of great and fundamental interest. The Mediterranean diet, rich in fruits and vegetables, is associated with a low incidence of chronic degenerative disorders common to Western populations, and compelling evidence points to a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases in Mediterranean countries compared with other industrialized countries. These observations may be related to beneficial compounds in the diet, including antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and many biologically active molecules. A new diet element has recently contributed to improve the phytochemical diversity of healthy diets and their beneficial potential effects: melatonin. Melatonin was first identified in plants in 1995, and its medicinal and nutritional relevance to both animals and humans and its functions in plants have acquired diffuse interest. In particular, melatonin has been identified in a very large number of plant species. So far, it has been detected and quantified in the roots, shoots, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds of a considerable variety of spermatophyte species that are relevant to humans as food and medicinal plants. When plant products are eaten, melatonin is absorbed through the gut and influences the levels of indoleamine in the blood as well as improving antioxidant status. The concentration of melatonin in edible plants varies widely and, to date, it is difficult to calculate how a specific diet may positively influence human health. This chapter will summarize and update current knowledge about melatonin in plant foods and medicinal herbs, and provide an overview of the major implications of the consumption of plant foods containing melatonin for the maintenance of a healthy lifestyle and protection against diseases.
KW - Beverages
KW - Food
KW - Medicinal herbs
KW - Melatonin
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85058524005&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85058524005&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4324/9781498739054
DO - 10.4324/9781498739054
M3 - Chapter
AN - SCOPUS:85058524005
SN - 9781498739054
SP - 271
EP - 296
BT - Serotonin and Melatonin
PB - Taylor and Francis
ER -