Kellogg's Corn Flakes Original

The micronutrients (Vitamins/Minerals) play an important role by ensuring proper functioning of cells and tissues. 

 

Each vitamin and trace mineral play a specific role in the body. For example,  Vitamin C acts as antioxidant protecting cells from environmental damage, healing wounds and maintaining connective tissue whereas minerals like sodium, potassium and chloride function as electrolytes that assist in communication between cells necessary for nerve impulses and muscle contraction. 

 

Some products mimic the nature by adding artificial vitamins or minerals  which have an identical form and function to those found in nature, but they are manufactured synthetically to meet extremely high standards of processed products.

While reading about FAT in food, you will come across terms : Saturated Fat, Unsaturated Fat (MUFA / PUFA), Trans Fat and Cholesterol. 

Saturated Fats (SFA) can increase the Cholesterol in the blood and thereby increase the risk of Heart Disease. Read the Nutrition Label and choose the product with less SFA. 

Monounsaturated Fat (MUFA) and Polyunsaturated Fats (PUFA) are the two types of unsaturated fats you will find on food package label. Monounsaturated Fat have a blood cholesterol lowering effect and can lower the risk of heart disease. It is recommended to include food with more MUFA and PUFA as compared to SFA in the diet to help reduce heart disease risks. 

Trans Fat not only increases the bad LDL cholesterol, but also reduces the good HDL cholesterol and hence should be avoided. Trans Fat are formed during the hydrogenation process where in the unsaturated fat is converted to hydrogenated fat / oil to increase shelf life. Look out for Hydrogenated or Partially Hydrogenated Fat / Oil in the ingredients in the label as these products would have Trans Fat. 

Cholesterol is only found in food from animal source such as milk. Our bodies create most of required cholesterol and hence consumption of food with cholesterol should be limited. 

All Fat is not bad ! Look for the products which have more MUFA, PUFA and avoid those with more SFA, Trans Fat and Cholesterol.

Flavouring Substances are added to Food products either to regain the flavour it would have lost during processing e.g. juices or to add a new desired flavour e.g. in case of biscuits, vanilla flavour may be added to otherwise food product without any flavour.

Based on the resemblance of the flavouring substance to its natural occurrence, it is classified as natural, nature identical or artificial flavouring substance. Read this blog to find more about different flavouring substances.