Food matrix

Complex physical and chemical structure of a food that influences how its nutrients are digested, absorbed and metabolised. The food matrix explains why the effects of a nutrient consumed in a whole food often differ from the effects of the same nutrient taken in isolated or supplement form. Fructose from a whole fruit has different metabolic effects than pure fructose, because the fruit's fibrous matrix slows its absorption. The food matrix concept is central to modern nutrition and justifies reasoning in terms of foods rather than isolated nutrients.