Abiotic stress combination to improve healthiness of freshvegetables smoothies

Resumen

Several epidemiological studies have revealed the potential benefits of an appropriate and equilibrated diet rich in fruit and vegetables to prevent several diseases in those people with genetic predisposition. Phytochemicals of vegetables, such as phenolic compounds, carotenoids and vitamins offer health-promoting benefits. Orange vegetables, such as carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, etc., are very popular in the Mediterranean diet. These vegetables are important contributors of antioxidants in the diet as polyphenols, carotenoids and vitamins (A, C, E, etc). Accordingly, these vegetables could be used as a functional food if the content of such phytochemicals is enhanced. Abiotic stresses, such as UV-C, superatmospheric oxygen, wounding, etc., applied during postharvest can be used as a tool to enhance phytochemicals. Hence, these stressed vegetables with high health-promoting properties can be consumed as a functional food, with high added value, or as a natural nutraceutical to be ...