What is phytochemicals?

The 'phyto' word drived form Greek 'plant'.
In nearly all fruits and vegetables chemical substances present that plants naturally produce to protect themselves against viruses, bacteria and fungi. Tens of thousands of phytochemicals exist in tha food we eat-nearly all them in fruits and vegetables.
Phytochemicals protect against diseases and pollutants. They fight against a lot of diseases. Example -
Isoflavones in soy.

Blueberries, raspberries and other purple contain anthocyanidin.

Citrus fruit like orange, grapes and lemon contain limonene and monoterpene. Which give the smell to these fruits.

Phytochemicals protect against cancer, heart disease and chronic health conditions.

The common cabbage contain phytochemicals called in doles, which are great cancer fighter

Onion contain 50 different phytochemicals and the of the lot is called allelic sulphide.

The capsicum contains capsaicin, a neutraliser of known carcinogens.

The tomato contain lycopene contained in tomato is one of the best phytochemicals,which acts as an antioxidant.


By:-Dietician Alfiya