3 ms·
Bioavailability is rather complicated: for any given nutrient it can be enhanced by the presence of certain other nutrients but diminished by others. Your comm
by a_c_s 11y ago
Bioavailability is rather complicated: for any given nutrient it can be enhanced by the presence of certain other nutrients but diminished by others.
Your comment also ignores phytonutrients* (which includes flavonoids and some anti-oxidants) and the effects of diet on gut flora, both of which topics we are just beginning to understand.
This is why, until we really understand the nitty-gritty of all of the hundreds (thousands?) of chemicals contained in food and how they interact, the best recommendations involve eating a variety of foods, both fresh and cooked.
* http://extension.psu.edu/health/news/2012/the-importance-of-non-vitamins http://extension.psu.edu/health/news/2012/the-importance-of-...
- Scaevolus 11y agoHave there been any meta-analyses on the effects of phytonutrients? A recent analysis on antioxidants failed to disprove the null hypothesis (no effect) for most of them other than Vitamin D.
- primroot 11y agoAnd then, there's the (IMO certain) outcome that, when we come to "really understand," we'll realize that "eating a variety of foods, both fresh and cooked" is the most economically viable option for keeping optimal health, when there is access to a healthy natural environment.