Non-Nutritive Substances

Question 1

Explain food additives

Answer 1

Substances intentionally added to foodstuff to perform certain technological functions (colour, to sweeten or to help preserve foods)

Question 2

What are the most common additives used?

Answer 2

Antioxidants, colours, emulsifiers, stabilisers, gelling agents and thickeners, preservatives and sweeteners

Question 3

Explain PICA

Answer 3

The craving or consumption of objects that are not normally intended to be consumed. It is classified as an eating disorder but can also be the result of an existing mental disorder.

Question 4

When does PICA present?

Answer 4

• Nutritional deficiencies: iron or zinc
• Dieting: Aim to ease hunger by eating non-food substances
• Malnutrition: soil or clay
• Cultural factors: e.g., eating clay as part of a medicinal practice
• Parental neglect
• Mental health conditions: OCD, schizophrenia
• Pregnancy

Question 5

Explain some medical consequences of PICA:

Answer 5

• Mechanical bowel problems
• Intestinal obstruction
• Bezoar ( mass of indigestible material found trapped in the GI track)
  -Intestinal perforation
• Infections such as toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis
• Poisoning (heavy metal)

Question 6

What is the meaning of NSS?

Answer 6

Non-sugar sweeteners

Question 7

What is GRAS?

Answer 7

Generally recognised as safe

Question 8

Name the 6 high-intensity sweeteners that the FDA approved as food additives in US

Answer 8

Saccharin
Aspartame
Acesulfame K
Sucralose
Neotame
Advantame

Question 9

What are the 2 sweeteners approved by the GRAS?

Answer 9

Stevia and extracts from the Siratia Grosvenorii Swingle fruit

Question 10

What is the meaning of EFSA?

Answer 10

European Food Safety Authority

Question 11

What are phytochemicals?

Answer 11

also called phytonutrients, are naturally occurring, bioactive compounds found in plants that are not essential nutrients but are believed to have beneficial effects on human health, potentially helping to prevent chronic diseases

Question 12

What does phytoestrogens do?

Answer 12

Phytoestrogens are naturally occurring oestrogens that may have beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system and may also alleviate common illnesses afflicting women, such as menopausal symptoms, osteoporosis and breast cancer

Question 13

High soy intake (isoflavones) is related to?

Answer 13

low BC risk

Question 14

Examples of phytoestrogens:

Answer 14

Isoflavones (soy, lentils, legumes), lignans (flaxseed, cereal grains, vegetables), and coumestans (red clover, sunflower seeds, bean sprouts)