Phytochemicals have become a nutrition buzzword. What exactly are they and how can you benefit?

What are phytochemicals?

It is biologically active health preserving substances that naturally occur in food products.

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Certain foods of plant origin contain these health-promoting substances in addition to the major nutrient components. These include protein, fat, carbohydrate, fibre, and micronutrients, such as vitamins and minerals involved in normal metabolic activity.

Phytochemicals are often present in “functional foods” (modified foods or food ingredients that may provide health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients it contains).

It has now become known that common foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, seeds, fungi, herbs and spices, are literally swarming with these chemicals. More than 2000 plant pigments are phytochemicals. Pigments are responsible for the colour of plants, such as the red-orange colour of tomatoes (carotenoids).

Prevention of cancer and other benefits

The potential health benefits of phytochemicals include:

• It is scientifically proven that these substances can play a significant role in the prevention of certain types of cancer;
• It is being tested (with growing positive results) for its benefits in the prevention and/or treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and hypertension. Research has shown that it may play a role in preventing neural tube defects, osteoporosis, abnormal bowel function, and arthritis.

How does it work?

Phytochemicals affect the hormonal and enzymatic processes in the body. The underlying isoflavone or isoprenoid structure of the chemicals is related to the inactivation of free radicals.

The chemicals also protect the antioxidants in the gastrointestinal tract. Through this, the plant-based chemicals act to detoxify drug toxins, carcinogens, and mutagens - the culprits often associated with cancer.

Where to find phytochemicals

• Flavonoids are antioxidants found in green tea, apples, onions and beans, to name but a few sources.
• Terpenes act as powerful antioxidants, which counteract the functioning of free radicals, responsible for the mutation of body cells. They can be found in tomatoes, oranges, ruby grapefruit and spinach.
• Limonoids are cancer preventitive agents found in citrus fruits.
• Thiols can reduce the risk of cancer and is to be found in broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
• Lignans may have a protective effect against hormone-sensitive cancers. These are found in flaxseeds, wheat bran, rye meal, oatmeal and barley.
• Lycopenes can also play an important role in the destruction of free radicals. Research has shown that lycopenes can specifically aid in the prevention of prostate cancer in men. Tomatoes contain large quantities of these. - (Carine van Rooyen, Health24)

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