Hey, @Steemit Family, today I m here with a new Blog in which I will share a very important aspect of food, which is Food Toxicants.

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Introduction

So, let's start with the introduction of Food Toxicants. Basically, many common foods of plant origin contain certain chemical compounds, that may prove toxic to the consumer in excessive dose. Those compounds are called Food Toxicants. The human body has built-in-mechanism through which these substances are either converted into harmless compounds or are excreted from the body. In excessive quantities, these can cause harm to the body.

Here are some common Food Toxicants along with their impacts on human health.

1. Plant Phenolics

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These are mainly found in coffee, tea, citrus fruits and many other plants.
They decrease the nutrient availability of some mineral elements like Iron (Fe), proteins and vitamins.
These cause loss of appetite, weight loss and harm the nervous system.

2. Oxalates

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These are mainly found in spinach, tea, cocoa and some oilseeds.
They decrease the availability of mineral elements.
These cause formation of kidney stones, renal colic (stone in the urinary tract) and abdominal pains.

3. Phytates

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Phytates are present in cereal grains and decrease the absorption of mineral elements such as calcium, iron, zinc and others.

4. Glucosinolates

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These are found in cabbage, turnip and radish.
Consumption of excessive amounts of these vegetables inhibits iodine uptake by the thyroid gland resulting in goitre, which is normally associated with the deficiency of Iodine.