Infowriters4_2018 InfoWriters nr. 4 din 2018 | Page 13

INFO WRITERS
The Role of nutrients in the functioning and
wellbeing of the human body
T
he main role of the ali-
mentation is that of
providing the right nu-
trients in the necessary
quantities for the body’s met-
abolic needs and, in addi-
tion, to give the consumer a
sense of satisfaction and
pleasure through the hedon-
ic attributes of foods. Recent
research back up the hy-
pothesis that, besides the
need to satisfy the nutritional
needs, the diet
can influence dif-
ferent
physical
functions and can
play unfavourable
or beneficial parts
in some illnesses.
In the field of
nourishment sci-
ence, the con-
cepts are expand-
ing from the old
tendencies,
based on surviv-
al, satisfying the
hunger sensation
and
preventing
the negative ef-
fects, to new tendencies,
based on the consumption of
foods that promote the well-
being, improve health and
reduce the risk of getting ill.
Recently it has been noticed
the beginning of a new era in
the nourishment field, reflect-
ed by the change in the con-
sumer’s attitude which can
easily be seen from:
The interest manifested to-
wards the compounds that
promote healthy life styles
(antioxidants, vitamins, cal-
cium, etc)
The conviction that through
the right attitude, including
the one in nutrition, one
can avoid cancer; becom-
ing aware of the existence
of a link between the physi-
cal state, psychical one and
foods, as well as one be-
tween diet, longevity and
physical aspect;
The conviction that the right
diet offers better solutions
for a healthier life style than
the medical treatments.
The changing concepts in
the nourishment field have
significant influences upon
11
the orientation in today’s so-
ciety. These are also deter-
mined by the following as-
pects: the rising cost of med-
ical care and medical leaves,
a lower level in health due to
lack of physical exercise be-
cause of the fast pace of life,
the rising level of information
provided by the authorities
and mass-media regarding
nutrition and the existing link
between diet and health, the
constant
growth in life
expectancy,
the
elders’
desire for a
better quality
of life as well
as the pres-
sure excited
by a diverse
and competi-
tive food in-
dustry.