What Are Phytonutrients? - Health Stato

                                                 What Are Phytonutrients? - Health Stato 

                                                 What Are Phytonutrients? - Health Stato 

Plant foods contain thousands of natural chemicals. These are called phytonutrients or phytochemicals."Phyto" refers to the Greek word for plant. These chemicals help protect plants from germs, fungi, bugs, and other threats.

Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients. Other plant-based foods also contain phytonutrients, such as:

• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Beans
• Tea

Phytonutrients aren't essential for keeping you alive, unlike the vitamins and minerals that plant foods contain. But when you eat or drink phytonutrients, they may help prevent disease and keep your body working properly.

More than 25,000 phytonutrients are found in plant foods. WebMD takes a look at these six important phytonutrients and their potential health effects:

• Carotenoids
• Ellagic acid
• Flavonoids
• Resveratrol
• Glucosinolates
• Phytoestrogens

Carotenoids

More than 600 carotenoids provide yellow, orange, and red colors in fruits and vegetables.

Carotenoids act as antioxidants in your body. This means they tackle harmful free radicals that damage tissues throughout your body.

The types of carotenoids that may have other health benefits include:

Alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Your body can convert all of these to vitamin A. This vitamin helps keep your immune system working properly, and it's needed for eye health. Yellow and orange foods like pumpkins and carrots are good sources of alpha- and beta-carotene. 

These also contain beta-cryptoxanthin, as do sweet red peppers.

Lycopene. This gives red or pink color to:

• Tomatoes
• Watermelon
• Pink grapefruit

Lycopene has been linked to a lower risk of prostate cancer.

Lutein and zeaxanthin. These may help protect you from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration, which are two types of eye problems. 

Good sources of these phytonutrients are greens such as:

• Spinach
• Kale
• Collards

Ellagic Acid

Ellagic acid is found in a number of berries and other plant foods, especially:

• Strawberries
• Raspberries
• Pomegranates

Ellagic acid may help protect against cancer several different ways. For example, it may slow the growth of cancer cells. And it may help your liver neutralize cancer-causing chemicals in your system. But studies of this acid have mainly been done in the laboratory, so its benefits for human health is an unknown.