Anti-nutrient

[ Anti-nutrient, antinutrient ]

An anti-nutrient is a substance that reduces the bioavailability of a nutrient by interfering with its absorption or uptake, or biochemical activity.

Some anti-nutrients are enzyme inhibitors, typically protease, lipase and amylase inhibitors which interfere with the digestion of proteins, fats and carbohydrates, respectively. Other anti-nutrients bind with the nutrient, typically minerals, preventing their absorption.

Anti-nutrients are typically found in plant-based foods, but many drugs and environmental toxicants are known to have anti-nutritional properties.

Cooking, fermentation and malting are traditional methods of reducing the ani-nutrients or otherwise detoxifying certain plant foods.