Fruits and nutritional security

C H A P T E R

1 Fruits and nutritional security Umar Farooqa,*, Afshan Shafia, Kashif Akramb, Zafar Hayatc a

Department of Food Science & Technology, Muhammad Nawaz Shareef University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan b Department of Food Sciences, Cholistan University of Veterinary & Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, Pakistan c Department of Animal Sciences, CVAS-University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Jhang, Pakistan *Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]

O U T L I N E 1 General

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2 Fruits 2.1 Nutritional components of fruits 2.2 Bioactive compounds in fruits

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3 Therapeutic benefits of fruits 3.1 Anticancer properties 3.2 Cardiovascular protection 3.3 Hypercholesterolemia 3.4 Brain health

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3.5 Immunity 3.6 Diabetes 3.7 Infectious diseases

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4 Conclusion

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5 Future perspectives

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References

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Further reading

12

1 General The concept of nutritional security is difficult to define due to its complex, broad, and multidimensional nature. Food availability, affordability, access, safety, and its stability are the basic pillars or dimensions of food security. It also has multidisciplinary nature with the involvement of a variety of stakeholders with national and international status (Candel, 2014; Hendriks, 2015). Food availability refers to the supply of quality food with sufficient quantity, and access is concerned with socioeconomic status of individuals to purchase appropriate foods to meet nutritional requirements. Similarly, the stability in food security is referred to the achievement of a situation where an individual or whole population has access to adequate food all the time (FAO, 2006). These pillars of food security are interconnected, for example, food access is not possible without food availability and food utilization is linked with food access (Hendriks, 2015). When personal needs of sufficient, safe, and wholesome food are fulfilled for healthy and active life all the time, then the person is considered as food secured. As per definitions of food security, only a person should not have access to food; instead, the food must also fulfill the energy and nutritional requirements of the body to prevent the situation of malnutrition. In current scenario, the food security has become a major issue not only for the developing countries but also for the developed countries. Not only the solutions for such a complex problem should consider the environmental and technical perspectives, but also the nations should look at the economic, social, and political aspects to handle the situation of food insecurity (Termeer et al., 2015). The concerns of food security are not only focused on the prevailing conditions but also related to the future challenges of feeding of rapidly increasing world population (IFPRI, 2015). The research findings have indicated that there is a continuous experience of food insecurity. The first or primary indicator of food insecurity is considered to be the shortage or poverty, which reflects the issues related to food availability and access. To cover such situation, the people

A.K. Srivastava, Chengxiao Hu (eds.) Fruit Crops: Diagnosis and Management of Nutrient Constraints https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-818732-6.00001-0

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© 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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1. Fruits and nutritional security

try to find out the ways to cut food consumption. This leads to the usage of cheaper and energy dense food commodities to fulfill the energy requirements of the body, which results in hidden hunger through malnutrition of specific nutrients especially the micronutrients. The deficiencies of such vital nutrients lead to acute hunger, and such situation is known as acute food insecurity (Hendriks, 2015). There are a number of identified reasons for food insecurity, and the major focus of the nations is to improve the economic status of the individual so that each person may have the capacity of purchasing. The other major target is to ensure food availability to feed the whole world. To combat such situations of food insecurity, a number of programs are being launched by the government and nongovernment organizations to fight against food and nutrition insecurity (Tanumihardjo et al., 2007). However, these programs have been found to be little fruitful in reducing food insecurity and failed to address the challenges of nutrition insecurity (Lear et al., 2014; Shisana et al., 2014). These programs have been unable to combat both food and nutrition insecurities (Khoury et al., 2014). The basic reason behind the situations is basically the lack of food diversification. The people rely on only limited foods specially the staple foods of their respective regions, which lead to nutritional insecurities. Although different programs of food fortification and supplementation have been launched all over the world, however, these programs are also limited to the fortification of specific targeted nutrients, and ultimately, the consumer fails to get all necessary nutrients required for a healthy life (Popkin et al., 2012). Thus, the consumption of only staple food over a long period leads to a number of health diseases and disorders due to the situation of under nutrition (Smith and Haddad, 2015; Papathakis and Pearson, 2012). Due to the fact, about 800 million people all over the world are considered to be undernourished with two billion people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies. Similarly, due to unbalanced diet, 1.9 billion people are overweight all over the globe, and one out of every three persons is malnourished (IFPRI, 2015). The poor diets mostly based on staple foods are the common sources of hidden hunger as such diets no doubt provide enough energy for body but fail to provide all essential nutrients like vitamins and minerals. The people suffering from hidden hunger have not enough awareness about the importance of balanced diet, or they may not have enough access to wide range of nutritious foods (animal and plant based) due to any reason. The poverty and high prices could be among the basic factors that tend the consumer to continue longtime intake of staple foods with reduced or even zero intake of nonstaple foods, which result in nutrition insecurity (Bouis et al., 2011). The major reasons of nutritional food insecurity are highlighted in Fig. 1.1. These situations necessitate the intake of nonstaple foods like fruits to meet the needs of nutrient-based food security. Fruits and vegetables have important role in the provision of a healthy diet, and daily intake of such nonstaple foods helps to control and manage a number of human diseases and health disorders. With intake of fruits and vegetables, 2.7 million lives could be saved through the prevention of chronic diseases along with alleviation of nutritional deficiencies related to micronutrients (WHO, 2003). Different strategies have been adopted to combat the situation of hidden hunger. The strategies may include fortification, biofortification, supplementation, and diversification. The diversification in diet and diet pattern seems to be one of the effective methods to control hidden hunger. This diet diversification has also positive effect

FIG. 1.1 Determinants of nutritional insecurity. Modified from Aijaz, R., 2017. Preventing hunger and malnutrition in India. ORF Issue Brief 182, pp. 1–12.

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2 Fruits

on child nutritional outcomes even when controlling for socioeconomic factors. The dietary diversification no doubt ensures a healthy and balanced diet with combination of macro- and micronutrients through a wide range of food choices including fruits.

2 Fruits Fruits are the essential part of healthy lifestyle and crucial part of safe and healthy diet. As per recommendations of the WHO, it has been reported that the less consumption of fruits leads toward various metabolic disorders especially cardiovasculars such as 11% heart strokes and 31% ischemic heart disease globally. On the basis of aforementioned facts, it was also predicted that daily consumption of fruits may can protect more than 2.7 million people annually. Therapeutic significant of fruits also proved might be due to the characteristics of low calories, high nutritional contents, dietary fibers, and robust biologically active compound. These characteristics of fruits make them able to cure a number of disorders and improve health status of community (Du et al., 2011).

2.1 Nutritional components of fruits Fruits are not only the most acceptable for their delightful taste but also possess a number of therapeutic benefits containing frequent nutrients (Buachan et al., 2014; Slavin and Lloyd, 2012). A wide variety of fruits contain significant amount of ascorbic acid or vitamin C like citrus fruits (orange and mandarin). Vitamin C is present in abundant quantity in citrus fruits that only one mandarin can accomplish the recommended daily allowance (RDA) of vitamin C for a normal human being. Similarly, other fruits are rich with some other specific nutrients. Generally, fruits contain 70%–80% moisture, 1.5% proteins, 13%–15% carbohydrates, up to 6% dietary fibers, 501 mg minerals, and up to 90 mg vitamins (Fig. 1.2). But this composition varies with fruit to fruit and variety to variety such as mango fruit that contains nearly 81% moisture, 0.4% fat, 0.6% protein, and 0.8% fibers. It also contains nearly 17% of carbohydrates. Fruits also contain a perishable amount of minerals like magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, and sulfur. Similarly, guava comprises 77%–86% moisture content, whereas the remaining nutrients include crude fiber (2.8%–5.5%), protein (0.9%–1.0%), fat (0.1–%0.5%), minerals (0.43%–0.7%), and carbohydrate (9.5%–10%), and it also contains vitamins and minerals. This composition of guava fruit differs significantly with season, maturity stage, production technology, and variety (Mandal et al., 2009; Jimenez-Escrig et al., 2001). It is a good source of dietary fiber, dietary minerals (potassium, manganese, and copper), and vitamins (A, C, and folic acid) (Hassimotto et al., 2005). This fruit is also called “super fruit” as it has considerable amounts of vitamin A and C (Suntornsuk et al., 2002). Except vitamin C, a good quantity of other nutrients such as folate carotenoids and potassium is also present in many fruits. β-Cryptoxanthin and β-carotene are the known precursors of

Phytonutrients

Enzymes

Natural acids

Antioxidant

Glucosinolates

Organosulfur

Flavonoids

Phytosterol

Nondigestible carbohydrates

Polyphenols

Indoles

Lignans

Carotenoids

Carotenes

Isoflavones

Curcuminoids

Stillbenoids

Xanthophylls

Tannins

FIG. 1.2 Phytonutrients tree. Modified from FFL (Food Fit for Living), 2016. Phytonutrients—Nature’s Unknown Soldiers. Available from: http://www. foodfitforliving.com/thisweekatfffl/2016/1/9/week-13-phytonutrients-atures-unknown-soldiers. (Accessed 27 January 2019).

4 TABLE 1.1

1. Fruits and nutritional security

Nutritional composition of various fruits (National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, 2018).

Nutrient

Apple

Guava

Mango

Citrus

Pomegranate

Pear

Peach

Banana

Watermelon

Apricot

Carbohydrates

17.3 g

14.32 g

25 g

11.8 g

18.70 g

27 g

16.7 g

22.84%

21 g

11.12 g

Proteins

0.3 g

2.55 g

1g

0.9 g

1.67 g

1g

1.4 g

1.09%

1g

1.4 g

Lipids

0.2 g

0.95 g

0.5 g

0.1 g

1.17 g

0%

0.4 g

0.33%

0g

0.39 g

Vitamins

–

–

–

70 mg

–

15%

22%

–

–

–

Minerals

–

–

–

7%

–

2%

–

484 mg

270 mg

–

Fiber

3.0 g

5.4 g

3g

2.4 g

4.0 g

5%

3.1 g

2.6%

1g

–

vitamin A and are classified under the category of carotenoids (Aldeguer et al., 2014). The nutritional composition of various fruits is shown in Table 1.1. 2.1.1 Lipids A molecule of nutritive fat normally contains a number of fatty acids (having long chains of hydrogen and carbon atoms), attached with glycerol. They are normally found as triglycerides (three fatty acids bonded with one glycerol backbone). In human diet, a minimum of two fatty acids is important. A suitable balance of essential fatty acids— omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids—looks also important for health, though conclusive experimental demonstration has been elusive. Among these “omega” long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are substrates for a class of eicosanoids called as prostaglandins, which play a major role in the human body. Fruits like banana, grapes, custard apples, ber, and cashew nut are good sources of fat (Chadha, 2007). 2.1.2 Water Water essential to normal body functions as a vehicle for carrying other nutrients. The human body consists of 60% water, which is crucial for the proper physiology of the human body. Fruits are the richest source of water as they contain 70%–80% water contents (Desjardins, 2007).pt?> 2.1.3 Proteins Proteins are the basis of many animal body structures (e.g., muscles, skin, and hair) and form the enzymes, which catalyze chemical reactions throughout the body. These foods are the building blocks of the body. These are important for body development. Lack of proteins in the body is responsible for stunted growth, increased chances of diseases, and lethargy. Protein molecules consist of amino acids having nitrogen and sometimes sulfur (during burning of protein, a distinctive smell is produced due to these components, such as the keratin in hair). To produce new proteins (protein retention) and exchange damaged proteins (maintenance), amino acids must be required in the human body. In digestive juices, amino acids are soluble in small intestine, where they are absorbed into the blood. They cannot be stored in the body after absorption, so they are either metabolized as required or excreted in the urine. The average adult requires 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day; children may require two to three times of this amount. Cashew nut, almond, filbert, pecan, pistachio, and walnut are rich in protein. Cashew nut is the richest source of protein among fruits (Kazi et al., 2015). 2.1.4 Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are among the most important nutritional components of fruit with dominating contents of glucose, fructose, and sucrose. Among fiber constituents, pectin is the major component present in fruits, which makes 65%– 70% of the total fiber. Other components of the fiber like cellulose, lignin, hemicellulose, and gums are also part of total fiber. Due to improper blood glucose metabolism, hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) or hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) may appear (Mayes et al., 2011). 2.1.5 Ascorbic acid (vitamin C) Vitamin C is a category of ascorbic acid and is included in the group of water-soluble vitamins. In the human body, the vitamin C takes part in the formation of collagen, which is the main component of connective tissues. In the consequences, the deficiency of this vitamin causes weakness of tissues. Vitamin C also aids in the iron absorption. By using citrus products, we can control cold and anemia. The antioxidative activity of vitamin C is well

2 Fruits

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recognized, and due to this behavior, it is considered to be responsible in preventing the oxidation of fatty acids, protein, and DNA. As these radicals are responsible for diseases like cancer, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and cataract formation, vitamin C can play role in the management of these diseases as well. The 10 g daily intake of vitamin C is considered to be effective for prohibition of its deficiencies. High amount of vitamin C may be hazardous as it may produce danger of iron load (Ford and Giles, 2000). 2.1.6 Folic acid Folic acid is also known as foliate. This water-soluble vitamin is associated with cell metabolism. Folic acid helps in DNA, RNA, and hemoglobin formation and has key role in anemia prevention. By using 400 μg folic acid, the defects of natural tube can be prevented, and 225 mL of fresh orange juice has 75 μg folic acid (NIH, 2018). 2.1.7 Potassium Potassium controls the acid-base balance of the body. Blood pressure of the body is normally associated with minerals. According to daily requirement allowance, 2000 mg of potassium should be taken on daily basis. By using citrus fruit products and juices, we can improve the intake of potassium. A 235 mg of potassium comes by drinking 225 mL glass of orange juice (Duarte and Paull, 2015).

2.2 Bioactive compounds in fruits It plays a role against free radicals and prevents the body from free radicals. It protects against the degenerative sicknesses such as melanoma and cataracts. It also plays a role in boosting immune system, iron absorption, and bovine collagen development. Bovine collagen plays a role in bone fortification and ligament and wound healing (Liu et al., 2012). 2.2.1 Phytochemicals Fruits are known as the amazing natural medicines due to the presence of many bioactive compounds like flavonoids, vitamins, minerals, anthocyanins, and other compounds (Halliwell, 2006). These bioactive compounds prevent fruit from pathogens and are responsible for fruit flavor and fruit color. At the same time, these play an important role in the prevention of many chronic diseases. However, the debatable discussion is whether the extracts from fruits rich of phytochemicals have equal beneficial approach toward human health as achievable through whole food having phytochemical or the mixture of foods. It has been investigated by the researchers that different portions of fruits have different levels of phytochemicals. For example, the apple peel only contributes 0.4% antioxidant activity due to vitamin C as compared with the whole antioxidant activity that clearly indicates that the most of the antioxidant activity is contributed by other compounds like phenolics and flavonoids (Liu, 2003). So, all the phytochemicals play an important role in functional outcomes of the fruits. The classification of phytonutrients presents in fruits and other food commodities is elaborated in Fig. 1.2. Studies also predicted that the two phytochemicals (quercetin and ellagic acid) in strawberries were found responsible for anticancer and antimicrobial activity by blocking the suppress progression, initiation of carcinogenesis, and tumor proliferation (Denny and Buttriss, 2007). 2.2.2 Phenolics The phytochemicals like phenolic are present in fruits, and due to protective biological functions of the phenolic, the fruits have prime importance in diet therapies and should be included in diet pattern. The phenolic compounds are even present in the by-products of fruits and in the fruit industry wastes. A number of phenolic compounds have been found in the peels of various fruits (Schieber et al., 2001). The fruits like grapes, apples, raspberries, cranberries, and strawberries and also their drinks such as orange and apple juices are good sources of phenolics. These compounds offer very strong facts of antimicrobials uniqueness (Urquiaga and Leighton, 2000). 2.2.3 Phenolic acid Apple contains phenolic acids that are dihydrochalcones (phloretin glycosides), caffeic acid (chlorogenic acid), and p-coumaric acid (p-coumaryl-quinic acid); both are present with quinic acid in their esterified form (Awad et al., 2000; Thielen et al., 2005).

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1. Fruits and nutritional security

2.2.4 Flavonoids Flavonoids are composed of carbon atoms with 15 in number, and these carbon atoms are ordered in a C6-C3-C6 configuration. These are considered as low-molecular-weight compounds. Physically, flavonoids are made up of two rings (aromatic), which are united through three carbon bridges leading to heterocyclic ring structure (Balasundram et al., 2006). Flavonoids (or bioflavonoid) are placed in the list of secondary metabolites of plant and are abundantly present in the plant cells, which are responsible for photosynthesis. These compounds are also present in different parts of a plant like leaves, stem, fruit, seeds, and flower. They are responsible for the color of the flowers. As per classification of IUPAC, these compounds can be further categorized into flavones (e.g., rutin and quercetin), isoflavonoids, and neoflavonoids (Viuda-Martos et al., 2010). The two main subtypes of apple polyphenols are flavonoids and phenolic acids. Apple is a good source of these compounds, and the most important flavonoids in apple are epicatechin, catechin, quercetins, and proanthocyanidins, which are their oligomers. These types of phenols have astringency and bitterness in apple (Thielen et al., 2005). 2.2.5 Tannins Tannins are polyphenolic compounds that are high in molecular weight and soluble in water. Due to the presence of large number of hydroxyl groups, the tannins have the ability to bind with carbohydrates and proteins but up to limited levels. Tannins are further classified in to two main groups: nonhydrolyzable tannins and hydrolyzable tannins. Hydrolyzable tannins are actually gallic acid esters; after consumption, they are converted into gallic acid and then absorb into digestive tract. Condensed tannins are high in molecular weight compound and contain catechin polymers (Hassanpour et al., 2011). 2.2.6 Anthocyanins Anthocyanins are the most important and prevalent group of flavonoids found in pomegranate arils. These compounds are responsible for the red color of juice and fruit. Anthocyanins are water soluble and are polyhydroxyl and polymethoxyl glucosidic derivatives of 2-phenylbenzopyrylium salt or flavylium salts. They are present in fruits and are titled as delphinidin, malvidin, cyanidin, pelargonidin, petunidin, and peonidin. Due to the number and location of hydroxyl group, each anthocyanin was different from other. The difference in each anthocyanin arises from the position and number of hydroxyl groups, the location, the level of methylation of the hydroxyl groups, number and nature of attached sugars, and aliphatic or aromatic acids bound to the sugars in the molecule (Afaq et al., 2005).

3 Therapeutic benefits of fruits There is a strong consideration regarding utilization of fruits and positive impact on health status (Table 1.2). Epidemiological research studies have demonstrated the health-promoting activities of fruits such as anticancer properties, asthma-curing ability, cardiovascular protective effect, antioxidative, antihypercholesterolemic, immunity boosting effect, antidiabetic, and digestion-improving characteristics (Saito et al., 2002).

3.1 Anticancer properties Many fruits have anticancer properties due to the presence of bioactive compounds, which work against cancerous cells. Sun and Liu (2008) strongly recommended that the frequent consumption of apple minimizes the threat of the occurrence of cancer especially breast and colon cancers. Another study was conducted by Liu et al. (2008) to expose the effect of apple extract on cancerous cells in rats. Results of the study revealed that apple extract has the potential to reduce the tumor size in rats. They suggested on the basis of the results of their study that whole apple (peel, pomace, and pulp) has the potential to stop the growth of cancerous cells and to reduce the possibility of various types of cancers like lung cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. Sun and Liu (2008) performed a research experiment on anticancer effect of bioactive compounds of various parts of apple. They basically separated biologically active compounds such as phenolics and flavonoids from the different parts of apple. Then, these bioactive compounds were evaluated for their potential physiological effects. Results indicated that three phenolic components and six flavonoid compounds were found to be present in apple peel.

3 Therapeutic benefits of fruits

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TABLE 1.2 Health benefits of some phytonutrients present in fruits (Abuajah et al., 2014; Tanveer et al., 2017; Dolkar et al., 2017). Phytonutrients

Compound

Sources

Health benefits

Quercetin

Grape fruit, apple, cranberries

Works as antidiabetic by mediation of glucose transporter

Kaempferol

Strawberries, gooseberries, cranberries, grapefruit, apple

Possesses antidiabetic activity due to involvement in improved insulin secretion

Myricetin

Grapes, berries, walnuts

Helps in controlling diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity

Rutin

Citrus fruits, oranges, lemon, berries, limes, grapefruit, peaches, apples

Has free radical scavenging activity, helpful in the prevention of oxidative stress and inhibition of lipid peroxidation

Hesperidin

Citrus fruits

Effectively increases the concentration of glycogen and glycolysis (hepatic)

Naringenin

Citrus fruits

Acts as antihyperlipidemic by increasing expression of LDL receptor, reduces the glucose uptake from intestine

Tangeritin

Citrus

Increases phosphorylation and alters the secretions of leptin, adiponectin, etc.

Catechin

Grapes, apple juice

Has antidiabetic potential and prevents high blood glucose levels

Epigallocatechin gallate

Pomegranate juice

Helps enhance the expression of insulin receptor

Anthocyanins and anthocyanidins

Bilberry, raspberry, strawberry, black currants, peach, plum

Improve the insulin sensitivity, neutralize free radicals and ultimately reduce risk of cancer, work as antiinflammatory

Flavonones

Citrus fruit

Possess antioxidant and anticancer activity

Flavonols

Apple

Serve as antioxidant

Phenolic acids

Berries

Help in the prevention of cancer and have antioxidant activity

Resveratrol

Dark grapes, raisins, peanut, berries

Has antidiabetic and antihyperlipidemic potentials

Curcumin

Turmeric root

Has antioxidative, antiinflammatory, and anticlotting potentials

Ferulic acid

Apple, pears, citrus fruit

Improves eye vision and is effective against heart diseases

Proanthocyanidines

Cranberries

Help in the management of cardiovascular disease and urinary tract disorders

Lycopene

Grapefruit, guava, papaya, watermelon

Has antioxidative and anticancer activities

α- and β-carotene

Some fruits

Has ability to neutralize free radicals

Zeaxanthin

Citrus fruits

Provides protection to eyes against muscular degeneration

Insoluble fiber

Nuts

Has anticancer potentials

Soluble fiber

Some fruit

Possesses anticancer activities, improves digestive tract and management of cardiovascular diseases

FLAVONOIDS

CAROTENOIDS

DIETARY FIBER

The therapeutic evaluation of bioactive compounds showed significant antiproliferative potential and strong antioxidative property against the lines of cancer cells. Similarly, citrus fruits contain a perishable amount of vitamin C, which possessed an excellent anticancer properties. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has marvelous defensive mode of action against cancer or carcinogens (Rafiq et al., 2018).

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1. Fruits and nutritional security

3.2 Cardiovascular protection Cardiovascular disorders including heart attack, stroke, and vein blockage are increasing day by day globally. One of the main reasons of these disorders is unhealthy diet pattern (Rye and Barter, 2014). Auclair et al. (2008) recommended the frequent consumption of fruits in daily diet after performing research experiment on cardiovascular diseases. In the reported study, the effect of fruit extract was evaluated against atheroscrotic lesions in mouse model. The results of the experiment revealed that fruit extract has a strong potential to reduce the atherosclerotic lesions (fatty build up) about 38% in atheroscrotic mouse. Results concluded that fruits possessed significant therapeutic characteristics, and these therapeutic properties of fruits might be due to the presence of phenolic contents. Likewise, Griep et al. (2013b) illustrated the importance of citrus fruit and its products on the basis of medical evidences. They suggested on the basis of their results that citrus fruits reduce the risk of cardiovascular disorders and regulate blood pressure. They also recommended the consumption of citrus fruits in combination with other fruits, which might be more effective. Chan et al. (2006) reported that apricot phenolic compounds like lycopene, chlorogenic acid, and β-carotene alleviate the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), thus improving the antioxidant or defense mechanism of body. This antioxidant mechanism diminishes the danger of emerging atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.

3.3 Hypercholesterolemia Hypercholesterolemia is defined as high level of cholesterol in blood stream that results in cardiovascular diseases. Whole fruits have extraordinary nutraceutical value because nutrients are present in different parts of fruits, so it can prevent atherosclerosis more effectively (Chahoud et al., 2004). Total dietary fiber both soluble and insoluble and some other bioactive compounds are also responsible to manage hypercholesterolemia (Gorinstein et al., 2000). Various fruits have the ability to reduce plasma cholesterol. For example, medical evidences proved that the consumption of 100-g persimmon regularly inhibits the formation of plaque/occlusion in blood arteries (Gorinstein et al., 2000). One of the major reasons of occurrence of the heart diseases is, elevated levels of homocysteine in the blood, which causes toxicity in vascular walls. High consumption of citrus fruit increases the folate level in blood plasma and decreases the rise homocysteine levels. This process ultimately controlled the blood LDL level and adjusted the blood pressure (Griep et al., 2013a). In the same way, apricot contains substantial quantity of fiber both soluble and insoluble forms (Ishaq et al., 2009). Soluble dietary fiber present in apricot lowers LDL cholesterol (Anderson et al., 2009; Aller et al., 2004).

3.4 Brain health A strong association exists between consumption of fruits and brain health (Vauzour et al., 2017). Van-de-Rest et al. (2015) emphasized on the high consumption of fruits for the better cognition in adults. In vivo and in vitro mechanistic investigations revealed the neuron protective effect of fruits, and fruits also motivate neurogenesis. A randomized controlled medium-term experimental study was conducted by Pujos-Guillot et al. (2013) to assess the metabolomic effect of citrus juice. In this study, 500 mL/day of citrus juice was administrated to 12 human subjects for the time period of 1 month. At the end of the experimental period, the results influenced the positive effect of citrus consumption on metabolomics. In the similar way, recent studies found the positive effect of apple juice on mice having Alzheimer’s disease. This study also comprises on 1-month duration. Results indicated a significant improvement in the brain (Chan et al., 2006).

3.5 Immunity Immunity is actually the balanced condition with satisfactory biological defense system that has the ability to fight against infections, diseases, and disorders and possesses sufficient tolerance to avoid different autoimmune diseases. Fruits contain a number of nutritive and bioactive compounds that are responsible to boost the immune system of human beings (Hosseini et al., 2018). Fruits are rich in antioxidants and soluble fiber that provide a healthy digestive system that results a strong immunity (Aprikian, 2003). Apple contains a good quantity of digestible fibers that possess prebiotic characteristics, and these prebiotics promote the gut health by increasing the civilization of beneficial gut microbiota (Loo, 2004). Fruit’s soluble fiber strengthens the immune system of human beings preventing from many diseases (Sherry, 2010).

5 Future perspectives

9

3.6 Diabetes Elevated level of plasma glucose is referred as diabetes. Globally, the prevalence of diabetic complications has increased day by day, and diabetes is also becoming the reason of other chronic diseases. So, its prevention is becoming the issue of serious scientific concern. Recent research documented that the management of diabetic complication can be managed by utilization of fruits. It was also observed that consumption of one apple per day reduces the 28% possibility of diabetes (Song et al., 2005). Methodically, it is workable that fruit’s polyphenol particularly catechins and phloretin glucoside (dihydrochalcones) may be effective against diabetes and thus declines the onset of diabetes especially type 2 diabetes (Marks et al., 2009).

3.7 Infectious diseases Phytochemicals of fruits possessed significant potential to protect against infectious agents. Fruit and their extracts have strong identified antimicrobial properties (Nagesh and Shanthamma, 2009). Various clinical studies have indicated that fruit’s bioactive compounds have the potential compared with the commercial antimicrobials to kill the microbes by disrupting their cell membranes, depriving the substrate, or inactivating the enzymes. Through this mechanism, these bioactive compounds of fruits block the mechanism of microbes (Rupasinghe, 2003). Aiswarya et al. (2011) conducted an experimental trial to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of apple. In this reported study, they compared the effect on Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria through disc diffusion method. They found a significant zone of inhibition of apple extracts against both Grampositive and Gram-negative bacteria, which was comparable with commercial antibiotic (ciprofloxacin). Du et al. (2011) evaluated the antimicrobial potential against Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli, and Listeria monocytogenes through in vitro experiment. Apple skin powder was used in edible film/coating to evaluate the potential of inhibition against S. enterica, E. coli, and L. monocytogenes. The edible film containing apple peel showed the highest zone of inhibition against L. monocytogenes. The lowest concentration required to stop this microbe was 1.5%. Malaviya and Mishra (2011) performed a comprehensive research experiment to assess antimicrobial potential of alcoholic and aqueous extracts of various fruits like apple, pomegranate, guava, and oranges against fungi and bacteria. On comparison of both extracts, results showed that the aqueous extracts indicated greater antimicrobial activity in contrast to alcoholic extracts. They were active against 76.4% of the full amount of Gram-negative bacteria that included 93.75% E. coli, 83.33% Klebsiella sp., and 73.68% Pseudomonas sp.

4 Conclusion By reviewing the importance of fruits and their nutrients in the maintenance of proper physiology for improved health status of community, it is concluded that consumption of fruits in adequate amount is necessary to maintain a healthy life. Various parts of fruits possessed therapeutic benefits to the human beings because they contain essential nutrients and biologically active components. For the aim to provide a healthy status and a safe health to the community, nutritional security is crucial nowadays. To preserve the nutrients or maintain the nutritional security, a positive and robust role of food scientist is the dire need of the current era.

5 Future perspectives The role and importance of fruits to insure nutritional food insecurity cannot be neglected at any cost. The fruits can provide a number of necessary nutrients required for a healthy human body. These fruits not only provide the necessary nutrients but also provide many health benefits beyond the nutrients due to the presence of bioactive and functional compounds in different parts of the fruits. Reasonable data and information are available on nutritional composition of different fruits and their role in human health. However, the composition of fruits varies due to production technology, season, soil conditions, and variety. There is a need of scientific work to improve the quality of fruits especially the production of nutrient-enriched varieties of fruits with reduced antinutritional compounds. Moreover, there is need of more awareness among the community regarding the importance of balanced diet and role of fruits for the management of nutritional deficiencies and human diseases.

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Vauzour, D., Camprubi-Robles, M., Miquel-Kergoat, S., Andres-Lacueva, S.B., Barberger-Gateau, P., Bowman, G.L., Caberlotto, L., Clarke, R., Hogervorst, P., Kiliaan, A.J., Lucca, U., Manach, C., Minihane, A.M., Mitchell, E.S., Perneczky, R., Perry, H., Rousse, A.M., Ramirez, M., 2017. Nutrition for the ageing brain: towards evidence for an optimal diet. Ageing Res. Rev. 35, 222–240. Viuda-Martos, M., Fernandez-Lopez, J., Perez-Alvarez, J.A., 2010. Pomegranate and its many functional components as related to human health: a review. Comp. Rev. Food Sci. Food Saf. 9, 635–654. WHO, 2003. Diet, nutrition and the prevention of chronic diseases. Report of a Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation, Geneva, WHO Technical Report Series, No. 916.

Further reading Aijaz, R., 2017. Preventing Hunger and Malnutrition in India. ORF Issue Brief, 182, pp. 1–12. Bommarco, R., Kleijn, D., Potts, S.G., 2013. Ecological intensification: harnessing ecosystem services for food security. Trends Ecol. Evol. 28, 230–238. FAO, 2014. Panorama of Food Security in Latin America and Caribbean, Santiago de Chile. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4230e.pdf. FAO, 2015. Regional Overview of Food Insecurity Latin America and the Caribbean. The region has reached the international hunger targets. Available from:http://www.fao.org/3/a-i4636e.pdf. FAOSTAT, 2011. FAO Statistical Databases. FAO, Rome. Available from: http://faostat.fao.org. (Accessed 15 September 2011). FFL (Food Fit for Living), 2016. Phytonutrients—Nature’s Unknown Soldiers. Available from: http://www.foodfitforliving.com/thisweekatfffl/ 2016/1/9/week-13-phytonutrients-atures-unknown-soldiers. (Accessed 27 January 2019). He, X., Liu, R.H., 2008. Phytochemicals of apple peels: isolation, structure elucidation, and their antiproliferative and antioxidant activities. J. Agric. Food Chem. 56 (21), 9905–9910. Meade, B., Rosen, S., 2013. International Food Security Assessment, 2013-2023, GFA-24. US Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, United States.