Secondary plant substances serve as defence substances for plants and also act as growth regulators. According to current knowledge, they are not considered essential nutrients, but they do have an influence on a variety of metabolic processes. They are also said to have various health-promoting effects.
For a good supply of secondary plant substances, the German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends eating plenty of vegetables and fruit, legumes, nuts and wholegrain products. So-called “avenanthramids” occur exclusively in oats (avena, Latin = oats). They belong to the group of polyphenols.
