Vegetables are Medicines: A Review on the Role of Vegetables in Human Health

Abstract

India is the world’s most populous country and produces nearly 207 million tonnes of vegetables annually, ranking second only to China. It is paradoxical that a country with such high vegetable production potential experiences considerable post-harvest losses, which reduce per capita availability and contribute to poor access to vegetables. Poor access to, and low intake of, vegetables have led to nutritional deficiencies arising from inadequate vitamin and mineral intake, ultimately contributing to many non-communicable diseases (NCDs) prevalent among people, particularly adolescents. This review discusses the status of vegetable production and consumption, the contribution of vegetable groups to food and nutritional security, and the role of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, carotenoids, lycopene, tocopherols, phytosterols, flavonoids, thiosulphides and glucosinolates. Vegetables, as protective foods containing vitamins and minerals, can help promote immune responses and support the physical and mental well-being of individuals. Consistent inclusion of recommended vegetables in the diet could pave the way for a drug-free system of medicine to cure many non-communicable diseases, besides contributing to vigour. India, with its vast biodiversity of vegetables, particularly tropical vegetables, has considerable scope to provide a balanced diet through the inclusion of recommended vegetables, while also adding variety to the diet. While undernutrition is viewed seriously, overnutrition is also increasing and needs immediate attention, as the country is likely to have nearly one-third of the world’s malnourished people in another 30 years. It is paradoxical that India, despite being the second-largest global vegetable producer, might have a larger proportion of people living with nutritional disorders and associated diseases. Hence, it is imperative to address post-production problems contributing to the poor availability of fresh and nutritious vegetables at affordable prices, and to strengthen supply chain management to ensure quality vegetables are available at reasonable prices throughout the year. Considering the importance of vegetables in nutritional security and their inconsistent and insufficient inclusion in daily diets as per National Institute of Nutrition recommendations, this brief review discusses the status of vegetable production and availability, the bioactive components of vegetables and their role in human health, problems associated with poor vegetable intake, and future strategies.