What is a phytochemical in nutrition?
What is a phytochemical in nutrition?
Phytochemicals are compounds that are produced by plants (“phyto” means “plant”). They are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, and other plants. Some of these phytochemicals are believed to protect cells from damage that could lead to cancer.
What is meant by phytochemical?
Phytochemicals are defined as bioactive nutrient plant chemicals in fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant foods that may provide desirable health benefits beyond basic nutrition to reduce the risk of major chronic diseases (Liu, 2004).
What are phytochemicals examples?
Phytochemicals are a wide variety of nonnutritive chemical compounds found in plant foods, which may have health effects. A few examples of well-known phytochemicals are the flavonoids, phenolic acids, isoflavones, curcumin, isothiocyanates, and carotenoids.
What is a phytochemical and what is its function?
Phytochemicals are chemicals of plant origin. Phytochemicals (from Greek phyto, meaning “plant”) are chemicals produced by plants through primary or secondary metabolism. They generally have biological activity in the plant host and play a role in plant growth or defense against competitors, pathogens, or predators.
What is the difference between phytochemicals and nutrients?
Phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals, are chemicals produced by plants. Plants use phytonutrients to stay healthy. They affect human health but are not considered nutrients that are essential for life, like carbohydrates, protein, fats, vitamins and minerals.
What is another name for phytochemicals?
phytonutrient
Also called phytonutrient. any of various bioactive chemical compounds found in plants, as antioxidants, considered to be beneficial to human health.
What are the benefits of phytochemicals?
Phytochemicals are compounds in plants….For the Health Benefits of Phytochemicals, “Eat a Rainbow”
- Aid the function of the immune system.
- Protect cells and DNA from damage that may lead to cancer.
- Reduce inflammation.
- Slow the growth rate of some cancer cells.
- Help regulate hormones.
How do phytochemicals work?
Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds in plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds. In laboratory studies, many phytochemicals act as antioxidants, neutralizing free radicals and removing their power to create damage.
What are phytochemicals name an example and explain the benefit?
What are phytochemicals? Name an example and explain the benefit. Some phytochemicals have biological activity in the body. An example is capsaicin which modulates blood clotting, possibly reducing the risk of fatal clots in heart and artery disease can be found in hot peppers.
Are phytochemicals essential nutrients?
You also get a power-packed bite of plant substances called phytochemicals. They’re not known to be essential for health, like vitamins and minerals, but they may go a long way toward keeping us healthy.
What foods are rich in phytochemicals?
Broccoli
Which food listed contains phytochemicals?
The phytochemical anthocyanins give red, blue and purple fruits and vegetables their color. Cherries, acai, blueberries, purple corn, bilberries, blackcurrants and red grapes have the highest content of anthocyanins.
What foods have the most phytochemicals?
Antioxidants are found in broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, tomatoes, corn, carrots, mangos, sweet potatoes, soybeans, cantaloupe, oranges, spinach, nuts, lettuce, celery, liver, fish oil, seeds, grains, kale, beets, red peppers, potatoes, blueberries, strawberries, and black and green tea.
What foods have phytonutrients?
Kale
