A few years ago I remember reading an article that talked about how
allowing some level of herboviry on crops caused the plant to produce
secondary metabolites in the plant defense response, and that many of
these might be beneficial antioxidants, phenolics, etc. I believe their
suggestion was to let some insects feed on plants and that those plants
would be healthier for us to eat than without any herbivory.
Unfortunately I am having a hard time finding that paper again or any
like it. Can someone recommend references on this topic?
Thanks!
--
Aaron T. Dossey, Ph.D.
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
http://www.allthingsbugs.com/Curriculum_Vitae.pdf