The Key Of Phytonutrients Is The Food

The Phytonutrients Are Food With Antioxidants


Scientific studies do not yet understand how plants help to promote good health but they do know is that this good health is partly due to the thousands of chemicals that are obtained with a diet rich in vegetables.

Within the scientific world, the vegetable chemicals that go beyond vitamins and minerals are called phytonutrients.

The level of phytonutrients in a plant depends on their species, soil conditions, the ime of collection and environmental factors.

Aging is mainly caused by unstable molecules called free radicals. These free radicals appear as a response to external agents such as ultraviolet ray from sun, the tobacco and pollution. When there is a high concentration of free radicals can damage any part of the cells of our body.


The phytonutrients, as we have already mentioned, they are not vitamins or minerals, are the chemicals that are the color and flavor to the plants. In spite of not having nutritional value, the phytonutrients acts as antioxidants to neutralize free radicals in our body which are the causes of degenerative diseases.


The functions of the Phytonutrients are many and very important:
Act as antioxidants, protecting the cell's DNA and avoiding mutations that could cause cancer.
Detoxifying the body of the agents of environmental pollution. Disabled carcinogenic substances.


Strengthen the immune system.
Protect the body of the development of chronic degenerative diseases such as cataracts, arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, aging, atherosclerosis and heart disease, among others.

Food with antioxidants
List of some phytonutrients, color and contributions:

Lycopene - Red - Fighting coronary diseases and cancer of the prostate. We find it in: tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit and guava.


Anthocyanin - Blue/purple and red - is a powerful antioxidant, prevents the type II diabetes,vascular diseases, fights cancer and stimulates the brain improving memory. Present in: blackberries, blueberries and strawberries.


Flavonoid - Red/Purple- Power the heart muscle, the resistance of the capillaries and prevents blood clots in the blood. We find it at: grapes, apples, prunes, blueberries, strawberries and blackberries.


Alpha-carotene and beta-carotene - Orange - Protects against cancer, especially lung, mouth and stomach, and malignant lung disorders. Present in: squash, carrots, mangoes


Cryptoxanthin terpen - Orange/yellow - prevents ulcers and cancer of the lung, as well as allows the bone growth. We can find in: tangerines, oranges, papaya, peach.


Lutein, zeaxanthin - Yellow/green - antioxidants, protecting the retina against cataracts and muscle degeneration. It is present in: spinach, peas, corn, avocado, melon.


Sulforaphane - Green - Fighting lung cancer. We find it at: broccoli, Brussels sprout.


Organosulfides - White - Reduces infections, prevent the formation of blood clots and cancer fighter. It is present in: garlic, onion and chives.