Abstract
A large amount of waste is generated within the different steps of the food supply chain, representing a significant loss of natural resources, plant material, and economic value for producers and consumers. During harvesting and processing, many parts of edible plants are not sold for consumption and end up as massive waste, adding environmental hazards to the list of concerns regarding food wastage. Examples are Brassica oleracea var. Italica (broccoli) by-products, which represent 75% of the plant mass. A growing concern in the Western world is obesity, which results from incorrect lifestyles and comprises an extensive array of co-morbidities. Several studies have linked these co-morbidities to increased oxidative stress; thus, naturally occurring and readily available antioxidant compounds are an attractive way to mitigate metabolic diseases. The idea of by-products selected for their biomedical value is not novel. However, there is innovation underlying the use of Brassica by-products in the context of obesity. For this reason, Brassica by-products are prime candidates to be used in the treatment of obesity due to its bioactive compounds, such as sulforaphane, which possess antioxidant activity. Here, we review the economic and health potential of Brassica bioactive compounds in the context of obesity.
Highlights
In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that obesity reached epidemic proportions worldwide [1]
This review summarizes the potential of Brassica by-products against obesity-related health problems, in a perspective of circular economy and industrial symbiosis giving an added-value to these products, once they can be a good resource of bioactive compounds [23,25]
Sulforaphane, one of the bioactive compounds derived from Brassica, can decrease reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by the augmented β-oxidation fluxes, improving mitochondrial function, maintaining its transmembrane potential and respiratory capacity, and inhibiting FFA induced mitochondrial swelling by indirectly up-regulating the transcription of antioxidant enzymes [49,50,51]
Summary
In 1997, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that obesity reached epidemic proportions worldwide [1]. In addition to the negative impact that these economic and health issues have on society, one more factor negatively affects the lives of obese patients: the social stigma Many of these patients are associated with negative misconceptions: obese people are lazy or weak-willed, unsuccessful, with low self-discipline and willpower, and purposely sabotage their weight-loss treatment [7]. Several species that belong to the Brassicaceae family represent an essential part of the human diet worldwide When regularly consumed, they have been found to exert health-promoting effects, like reducing the risk of chronic diseases, mainly cardiovascular diseases and several types of cancer [21,22]. This review summarizes the potential of Brassica by-products (focusing on broccoli) against obesity-related health problems, in a perspective of circular economy and industrial symbiosis giving an added-value to these products, once they can be a good resource of bioactive compounds [23,25]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
