She doesn't say what is strengthened, or who recognizes it, but such mythology has been with us since the dawn of time. These compounds give flavor and aroma to foods. Many of these are created during cooking. Some of these chemicals add pleasure to our eating. Taste and aroma of foods is wholly determined by the chemicals present.
Eating can be a social and sociological experience.
These experiences can be very satisfying, but can lead to obesity if done too often. Many cultural, psychological, social and philosophical considerations influence our food choices. Other nonnutrients that are receiving a lot of attention are Phytochemicals . These are plant-derived compounds which appear to have biological activity in the body. Many of these compounds are being researched for their affect on the prevention of diseases such as cancer and heart disease.