Tag: Primary metabolites

Over 25,000 different compounds exist in various foods, which, when consumed, form a crucial part of the human metabolome. These tiny molecules, known as metabolites, can be either simple, essential building blocks like glucose and amino acids or complex, specialized compounds that offer health benefits and distinct flavors. Examples of metabolites in food are abundant, influencing everything from the energy your body produces to the aroma of your morning coffee.

Plants produce a wide array of chemical compounds, but not all serve the same purpose within the organism. The core distinction lies between what are the primary and secondary phytochemicals and their very different roles in plant biology and human nutrition.

According to the National Institutes of Health, essential nutrients are indispensable for various cellular metabolic processes and must be obtained from dietary sources. These external raw materials differ fundamentally from metabolites, which are the internal products generated during the process of metabolism itself. Understanding this distinction is crucial for comprehending how our bodies function at a cellular level.