Bioactive lipids: Chemistry & health benefits

Abstract

The dietary requirement depends upon various factors such as age, occupation, location, and health condition. With an ever-changing lifestyle and increasing food safety issues, coronary heart diseases, diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and several other health conditions are increasing. However, as observed by doctors and nutritionists, the consumption of certain food items is associated with the prevention of disorders. Bioactive components are the extra nutritional components present in minute quantities in food. They are intensively studied to evaluate their effects on human health. These bioactive compounds differ widely in their chemical structure and function and thus are categorized accordingly. Bioactive lipids can play a crucial role in prevention against the onset of certain disorders. The present paper reviews the different dietary bioactive lipids, the effect of their consumption on health, and challenges in the incorporation of such components into food systems.