Selected Food Contaminants and their Interference with Nutrient Utilization by the Body System: Current Insights
Moses, Abah Adondua *
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Yakubu, Ojochenemi Ejeh
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Ugwoke, Kenneth Chinekwu
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Anih, David Chinonso
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Federal University Wukari, PMB 1020, Taraba State, Nigeria.
Oduh, Victoria Onyemowo
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Jos, Jos, 2084. Plateau State, Nigeria.
Akor, Andrew Adikwu
Department of Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, PMB 102119, Benue State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Food contamination has grown to be a significant issue with possible health risks. It has been shown that a range of dietary pollutants are to blame for several health issues, one of which is the body's inability to properly utilize nutrients, leading to a lack of vital nutrients. Following this, several outbreaks of food-borne illnesses and issues with poor health in humans and animals have attracted widespread international attention. The majority of food contamination happens as a result of environmental contaminants and naturally existing poisons, as well as during food processing, packing, preparation, storage, and transportation. Natural food toxins are unlikely to be hazardous at amounts of food intake that are typical. However, there is always a chance of an unusual reaction from undiagnosed contamination. The identification of such pollutants gets simpler as technology develops. There are still a number of unknown pollutants, though. This review offers up-to-date information about how eating contaminated food affects the body's capacity to absorb nutrients.
Keywords: Food, contaminants, nutrients, toxicants, health hazards