Phytic acid: Blessing in disguise, a prime compound required for both plant and human nutrition

•Phytic acid (PA) is generally considered as an antinutrient, though it also plays beneficial role in both plants and animals.•Phytic acid has beneficial as hypoglycemic, antioxidant and anti-bacterial agent.•In plant, it helps in seed germination and protect against biotic and abiotic stress.•Fine-tuning of PA can be done by physical, chemical and genetic intervention.