Phytochemicals are important non-nutritive compounds found in plants that exhibit protective, disease preventing, effects. A broader class of protective compounds, known as nutraceuticals, is an umbrella that covers phytochemicals and isolated natural compounds with healing properties such as vitamins and minerals.
Phytochemicals, or phytonutrients if you prefer, account for the pigment seen in both edible and non-edible plants. Certain avian and aquatic species also contain pigments that are phytochemicals. Pigments protect plants against environmental insult and attract insects which pollinate their flowers.
In animal species, they are important in attracting mates and in some fish such as salmon and trout, color the flesh red. Birds and fish eat these phytochemicals and the resulting color of feathers and flesh indicates health.
Several chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, diabetes and hypertension are prime targets for dietary therapy. Phytochemicals are the specific compounds that reduce risk of these conditions. That’s why leading health experts promote eating a varied and colorful diet.
This gets a little confusing because how much of each phytochemical category should you eat? Which ones are most important for protecting you from conditions that run in our family? What exactly are these phytochemicals and how do they work? For more information, visit the link below!
