We hear about vitamins, minerals, and nutrients all the time...
all essential for our health and well-being.
Let's talk today about a lesser known dietary substance that has powerful healing and protectant properties, one that you are probably already consuming to some degree without even knowing it: phytochemicals.
So, What Are They? Phytochemicals are produced naturally by plants in order to protect themselves.
In the same way, we too, benefit from ingesting them as they can also protect us.
Phytochemicals are not classified as nutrients.
They are, instead, classified as chemicals.
Chemicals! Yes, and good for your health, too.
Unlike vitamins and minerals, phytochemicals are not absolutely essential to stay alive.
Yet, when consumed, we see noticeable benefits that boost our health in magnificent ways.
Types of Phytochemicals and Their Uses Phytochemicals typically have one of two main properties: antioxidant (disease fighting) or hormonal (body balancing).
Let's examine some of their distinct benefits now: Carotenoids are a common phytochemical that are easily identified.
These are what give certain fruits and vegetables their orange color, such as carrots, cantaloupe, apricots, and oranges.
Not only are these anti-cancer agents, but they possess numerous other benefits.
Beta carotene, a carotenoid you are likely familiar with, has anti-inflammatory properties, strengthens the eyes and skin, and gives the immune system a powerful boost! Lycopene is another phytochemical you may have heard of.
Lycopene is what gives certain fruits and vegetables their red or pinkish color.
Lycopene is found in highest concentration in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, guava, and watermelon.
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant.
Antioxidants essentially "clean house" within your body, sucking up toxins and foreign substances and removing them from the body.
Make antioxidant-rich foods your new best friends, you are setting yourself up to live a long, healthy life! Who here likes garlic? I sure do.
Garlic contains the phytochemical known as allicin.
Allicin has powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.
It is cleansing for the body.
Placing a clove of garlic, wrapped in tissue, in the ear during an ear infection is a simple, natural method for drawing out the bacteria.
When ingested internally, garlic has a similar effect.
It is a powerful natural supplement to our diet.
A final set of phytochemicals that are important to discuss are lutein and zeaxanthin.
These are found in highest concentration in leafy green vegetables, such as kale, romaine lettuce, turnip and collard greens, and spinach.
(These leafy greens also happen to be the most nutrient-rich foods you can eat, period!) Lutein and zeaxanthin defend the cells of the body from free radicals.
They also protect the eyes from degeneration and the development of cataracts.
Eating foods high in these two phytochemicals is especially important for those who drink and/or smoke, as they are at highest risk of developing disease due to the presence of free radicals in the body.
Summary: What to Eat! One can see that, while not necessarily vital to staying alive, phytochemicals possess powerful healing and health-maintaining properties that should not be overlooked.
So, how do we intake more of these powerful healers without becoming total health nerds? Simple: eat more fruits and vegetables.
Most of these contain phytochemicals to some degree.
The ones I mentioned in the above section are very potent, and should be consciously incorporated into our diet until they become staples.
We are always told to eat more fruits and vegetables.
This is a reason why.
Thanks a lot for reading, and I look forward to your comments and suggestions! To the BEST of health, Brian