Phytonutrients (aka phytochemicals) are natural compounds or chemicals found in vegetables, fruits, beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, grains, tea and other plant foods.
Phytonutrients are thought to have powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, cellular repair, detox and cleansing, and other health-promoting and disease-preventing properties.
Although it is estimated that there are 25,000 to 40,000 phytonutrients, scientists have only recently started to study them. Thus far, mounting research suggests that they may be very effective in preventing and treating a wide range of medical conditions, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
Many phytochemicals are concentrated in the pigment of fruits, vegetables and other plants and are what gives these foods their fabulous color. This is where terms like “colors of health”, “eat your colors” and “rainbow of health” come from.
Although the USDA now recommends that half (or 50%) of the new “Chose My Plate” should consist of fruits and vegetables, studies show that only a small percentage of Americans eat the daily recommended amount of plant-based foods and, hence, are not getting the valuable health benefits of phytonutrients nor essential vitamins, minerals and dietary fiber.
