Abstract:

Based on a series of experimental data, food not only provides basic nutritients, such as amino acids, glucose, fatty acids, vitamins and trace elements, but also plays an important role in controlling physiological reactions and maintaining health status through signal communications with gastro-intestinal mucosal system or alteration of cytokine networks. Meanwhile, to a certain extent, recognitions and responses of body to outer world is also completed through interactions between food and body.

Key words: gastro-intestinal mucosal, signal transduction pathway, cytokine network, communication network, functional food