Q.Explain the beneficial factors of Non-Nutritive foods.

Not every non-nutritive (no energy/building-block value) compound in food is harmful — several classes are positively beneficial, which is why the textbook lists them separately from the anti-nutritional factors.

Phytochemicals are compounds plants produce to help themselves thrive or fight off competitors, predators or pathogens (the name comes from Greek 'phyton', plant). Many act as antioxidants, protecting cells from damage that could lead to cancer — found in fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Specific examples the textbook names: beta-carotene and other carotenoids (yellow/red/green produce), flavonoids (green tea), and isothiocyanates (cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower).

Anthocyanins specifically give grapes, blueberries, cranberries and raspberries their dark colour, and have shown anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties in laboratory studies. …