ABSTRACT
Antinutrients are components of food that acts to reduce nutrient intake, digestion, absorption, and utilization. They are present in many food substances such as legumes, nuts, pulses, seeds, whole grains, alcoholic drinks, carbonated drinks, coffee and tea, pharmaceutical drugs, tobacco and plants of the nightshade family. Antinutrients could be natural or synthetic and can be beneficial to some extent especially when in moderate amount. The major antinutrients considered in this chapter are phytate, lectins, tannins, protease inhibitors, saponins, and oxalates while others are listed.
