Frequently Asked Questions...
Health & Nutrition FAQ's
4.
What Are Phytochemicals?
Phytochemicals, are naturally occurring compounds found only
in plant foods like fruits, vegetables and their juices.
Researchers believe phytochemicals have positive effects
on health, including acting like antioxidants.
A recent Australian
study1 showed:
“ One orange has over 170 different phytochemicals,
including more than 60 different flavonoids”
The author
of the report concluded:
“… fruits and juices contain hundreds of active
ingredients that can affect human health in a number
of ways”
Compounds included in the terms phytochemicals
that are believed to have potential health benefits1 include:
- Polyphenols
- Flavonoids
- Anthocyanins
- Coumarins
- Terpenes
 Phytosterols Although phytochemicals are not yet
listed on the Nutrition Information Panel of any fruit, vegetable
or juice, there is extensive research underway to reveal
and explain their considerable health potential.
Polyphenols are just one group of phytochemicals with the
potential to improve health. They have been shown to have
a range of health related effects including anti-oxidant,
anti-viral, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory anti proliferative
and anti-carcinogenic1.
Most interest has centred on a possible role for polyphenols
in cancer and heart disease but recently their role in brain
functions such as learning and memory have received attention
with a number of studies being undertaken with herbals such
as ginko and ginseng1.
Other polyphenolics such as s-allycysteine, s-allymercaptocysteine,
allicin and diallosulphides (from garlic and red bell pepper)
as well as epicatechin and catechin (found in tea) have all
been shown to have some beneficial effects in animal models1.
For more information on phytochemicals and where they can
be found visit:
http://5aday.nci.nih.gov/why/phyto.html
References
- Baghurst, K., CSIRO Health Sciences
and Nutrition, The Health Benefits of Citrus Fruits, 2003
Return to the FAQ's Menu? | Back
to the top? |
