Lecture No.
2
Horticultural crops and Human Nutrition
Fruits and vegetables play an important role in balanced diet. These provide not only
energy rich food but also provide vital protective nutrients/elements and vitamins. Comparatively
fruits and vegetables are the cheapest source of natural nutritive foods. Since most of Indians are
vegetarians, the incorporation of horticulture produce in daily diet is essential for good health.
With the growing awareness and inclination towards vegetarianism worldwide the horticulture
crops are gaining tremendous importance.
Functions of fruits and vegetables in human body:
1. Fruits and vegetables provide palatability, taste, improves appetite and provides fibre
thereby the constipation can be overcome.
2. They neutralize the acids produced during digestion of proteins and fatty acids.
3. They improve the general immunity of human body against diseases, deficiencies etc.
4. They are the important source of vitamins and minerals for used in several bio-chemical
reactions occur in body.
Fruits:-
Fruits provide higher energy value per unit area compared to cereals. Some of the essential
nutrients provided by different fruits are:
Vitamins/ Role in human body Source
Minerals
Vitamin-A 1. Essential for growth and Mango, Papaya, Persimon,
reproduction. Dates, Jack fruit, Walnut,
2. Helps in resistance to infections, Oranges, Passion fruit, Loquât
increases longevity and etc.
decreases senility.
3. Deficiency causes, night
blindness, xeropthalmia,
retardation in growth, roughness
in skin, formation of stones in
kidney.
Vitamin – B1 1. Essential for the maintains of Walnut, Apricot, Apple,
good appetite and normal Banana, Grapefruit, Plum and
digestion. Almond.
2. Necessary for growth, fertility,
lactation and for normal
functioning of nervous system.
3. Deficiency causes beri-beri,
paralysis, loss the sensitivity of
skin, enlargement of heart, loss
of appetite and fall in body
temperature.
Vitamin – B2 1. Important for growth, health of Bael, Papaya, Litchi,
skin and for respiration in poorly Pomegranate, Wood apple and
vascularised tissue such as the Pineapple.
cornea.
2. Deficiency causes pellagra and
alopecia, loss of appetite, loss of
weight, sore throat, development
of cataract, swollen nose and
baldness.
Vitamin – C 1. Deficiency causes scurvy, pain in Barbados cherry, Aonla,
joints, swelling of limbs, Guava, Lime, Lemon, Sweet
unhealthy gums, tooth decay, oranges, Ber, Pineapple and
delay in wound healing and Pear.
rheumatism.
Minerals are essential for the growth and
development for the human body
Calcium Causes Rickets, Osteomalacia. Sitaphal, Ramphal, Fig,
Phalsa, Citrus, Sapota,
Grapes, West Indian Cherry
etc.
Phosphorous Essential for cell multiplication of Wood apple, Avocado,
bones and soft tissues. Helps in Dates, Pomegranate and
liberation of energy on oxidation of Grape raisins.
carbohydrates.
Iron Act as oxygen carrier in the body. Karonda, Date palm, Grape
raisins, West Indian Cherry,
Guava, Sitaphal, Avocado,
Sapota, plum etc.
Proteins Important for body growth, West Indian cherry,
formation and maintenance of body Avocado, Custrad Apple,
tissuess Banana, Apricot, Guava,
Grapes etc.,
F
ruits are also a good source of energy eg. Avocado, Olive etc.,
Fruits are also a good source of enzymes which are helpful in metabolic activities
leading to proper digestion of food. Eg. Jamun and Papaya.
• All fruits have one or the other medicinal value.
• They should be eaten in adequate quantity.
• Regular consumption of fruits reduces obesity, maintain health and increase the
longevity of life.
• Fruits are attractive in appearance, delicious in taste and easily digestible.
Therefore ,they are liked by young and old alike.
