A REVIEW ARTICLE ON PHARMACOLOGICAL AND NUTRITIONAL SIGNIFICANCE OF FRUITS, VEGETABLE AND SPICES

The rising prevalence of chronic diseases worldwide has increased the need for preventive health care measures that combine nutrition and medicine. Because they contain bioactive substances that provide therapeutic benefits beyond basic nutrition, nutraceuticals and functional foods have emerged as attractive treatments. By altering metabolic pathways, boosting immune function and reducing inflammation, these food-derived compounds — including vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids — play a vital role in the prevention and management of disease. This review explores scientific advances in nutraceuticals and functional foods, emphasizing their potential in combating lifestyle disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and neurodegenerative conditions. Furthermore, it highlights the regulatory frameworks and challenges associated with their commercialization, ensuring efficacy, safety and consumer awareness.The integration of nutraceuticals into clinical practice is continually gaining recognition, with research supporting their role in personalized nutrition and overall healthcare. Despite their growing acceptance, further investigations are needed on factors such as bioavailability, standardization and interactions with pharmaceuticals. Future prospects include the development of precision nutrition strategies, leveraging nutrigenomics to optimize dietary interventions for individual health benefits. This paradigm shift toward functional foods and nutraceuticals underscores their importance in promoting health, reducing healthcare burden, and improving quality of life.