NAF010 - NUTRACEUTICALS AND FUNCTIONAL FOODS

The student will have to know the structure and chemical-physical properties of secondary metabolites, present in foods of plant and animal origin, considered important nutrients in the human diet for their beneficial effects on health (functional foods, nutraceuticals). They will also have to know the issues related to the bioaccessibility, bioavailability and absorption of these substances in the human body, as well as their mechanism of action. The course is aimed at providing the basic tools for the understanding of the structural and biological characteristics of nutraceutical substances and for the evaluation of the main mechanisms of action, in vivo, through which they exert their health action. The course also aims to provide adequate knowledge on the variability of the human microbial ecosystem and its role in health and disease. Through the study of the scientific foundations provided by the course, the student can improve one's ability to judge and intervene for an optimal assessment of an adequate diet in the prevention of certain diseases. The course is organized in such a way as to allow the acquisition of an appropriate scientific language and specialized terminology. The ability to learn will be stimulated through multimedia presentations and classroom discussions, also aimed at verifying the actual understanding of the topics covered. Learning capacity will also be implemented with integrative teaching aids (journal articles, seminars held by experts in the field), so as to develop critical skills in a rapidly evolving field of research.