What Are Phytochemicals?

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What Are Phytochemicals

Phytochemicals are chemicals synthesized from plants. When phytochemicals are present in food, they can have profound health benefits for the consumer.

There are many kinds of phytochemicals, and our understanding of them is always evolving. Throughout the course of evolution, plants have developed the ability to synthesize certain chemicals.

Consequently, the animals that eat those plants benefit from the phytochemicals. Some fruit and vegetable phytochemicals don't have a specific nutritional value; instead, they act as inhibitors.

For example, some phytochemicals prevent carcinogenic (cancer-causing) processes. Phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, can block different stages of carcinogenesis.

Vegetables containing flavonoids include broccoli, cucumber, cabbage, tomato, eggplant, squash and certain berries and citrus fruits. Curcumin is another plant phenolic compound found in turmeric and mustard. Carnosol is found in rosemary leaves, and polyphenolic catechins are in berries, tea and red wine.

These phenolic compounds have several properties in common with vitamins C and E: They inhibit carcinogenic formation from nitrosamines. They can modulate cellular enzyme activities. They remove destructive oxygen radicals and chemical electrophiles.

Some phytochemicals contain sulfur; they engage detoxifying enzymes and buffer against mutagens, carcinogens and toxic chemicals.

Bulb vegetables, like garlic, chives, leeks, onions and shallots, contain allyl sulfide. Broccoli, cabbage, watercress, garden cress and radish contain isothiocyanates, yet another sulfur-containing phytochemical.

Cruciferous vegetables contain indoles, which help to adjust estrogen metabolism. By consuming broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower, your indole intake will degrade estrogen so that it is less likely to promote breast cancer growth.

Some phytochemicals have great antioxidant properties. Carotenoids, for example, slow down cancer-cell growth. Carotenoids are primarily found in orange fruits and vegetables like carrots, squash, cantaloupe and sweet potatoes.

Not all vegetables have the same phytochemical content or properties, but recent studies do suggest that healthy quantities (nearly 10 servings per day) of natural fruits and vegetables in your diet will boost your phytochemical intake, thus providing a wealth of healthy benefits.

Posted by Erika Pitera in: Nutrition News