Nutrients and bioactive compounds naturally packed in fruits and vegetables: an innovative tool for public policies

Abstract

Fruit and vegetable consumption contributes essential nutrients and bioactive compounds to maintain optimal health, with a positive impact on the physical, mental, and social life. Evidence shows that the daily intake of different vegetables mitigates the risk of micronutrient deficiencies and non-communicable, chronic, serious, and/or fatal diseases. To promote consumption, public policies require knowledge of fruit and vegetable properties, nutrient content, and the particular effects on the new aspects of life quality such as antiaging or immunity and the impact of agricultural practices, processing, conservation and domestic preparation on these properties. The first section of this review emphasizes the nutrient content in fruits and vegetables, functional bioactive compounds, bio-accessibility, and alterations induced by production systems and/or postharvest storage, variety, and fruit or vegetable physiological state. A second and special section deals with fruits and vegetables produced in Uruguay, showing recent research carried out in the country, and a third section refers to the perspectives for the application of public policies and promotional policies for consumers, of this special health marker associated with vegetables.