Phytochemicals and Nutrition

• Phytochemicals are compounds in plants that contribute to their colour, taste, and smell, enable them to resist disease or predator attack, enable them to grow and reproduce, and attract insects to pollinate them.
• Phytochemicals are naturally occurring substances found in all edible parts of a plant, especially the skin or peel, and are known to be beneficial to human health.
• Carotenoids are beneficial antioxidants that can protect you from disease and enhance your immune system.
• Provitamin A carotenoids can be converted into vitamin A, which is essential for growth, immune system function, and eye health.
• Eating carotenoid-rich foods can protect the healthy cells in the eye and prevent the growth of cancerous cells.
• Carotenoids are antioxidants, lowering inflammation in the body and have been associated with improving cardiovascular health.
• Phytosterols, also known as plant sterol and stanol esters, are a group of naturally occurring compounds found in plant cell membranes.
• Because phytosterols are structurally similar to the body’s cholesterol, when they are consumed they compete with cholesterol for absorption in the digestive system.
• Stanols and sterols may reduce the absorption of fat soluble vitamins, but this can be compensated for by ensuring a diet rich in fruit and vegetables.
• Stanols and sterols can interfere with the absorption of beta-carotene, it is important to choose at least one fruit or vegetable high in beta-carotene daily.
• Phytochemicals, such as phyto-oestrogens, are found in cocoa, dark chocolate, cloves, berries, cherries, blackcurrants, plums, apples, beans, nuts, vegetables, soya, black and green tea.
• In adolescence, oestrogen plays a role in the development of a woman’s breasts, armpit hair, and pubic hair.
• Up until the menopause, oestrogen controls a woman’s periods.
• Phytochemicals can relieve hot flashes in menopause, prevent osteoporosis, combat issues around a women's period, treat acne, fight breast cancer, strengthen the immune system, prevent blood clots, prevent inflammation, regulate blood pressure, and regulate blood glucose levels.
• Polyphenols may lower blood sugar levels, contributing to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Polyphenols may help lower your blood sugar levels, contributing to a lower risk of type 2 diabetes, by preventing the breakdown of starch into simple sugars, lowering the likelihood of blood sugar spikes after meals.
• Polyphenols may improve heart health due to their antioxidant properties, which help reduce chronic inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease.
• Sulphides are found in onions, garlic, shallots and chives.
• Sulfur is needed for the synthesis of glutathione, which acts as a potent antioxidant, protecting your cells from damage.
• Consuming sulphides can reduce the affect of respiratory distress from allergies.
• Sulfite deficiency is associated with coronary heart disease.