What Are Phytonutrients?

Folk wisdom has always singled out fruits andfrom developing tumors.
vegetables as being indispensable for health, but itSulforaphane, another phytochemical in cruciferous
has only been within the last thirty years that wevegetables, triggers a self-defense system in the
know why. Science and technology have isolatedbody that acts to detoxify carcinogens. Spinach
compounds in plants and vegetables that havecontains four times more beta carotene than
literally been our life-savers. These arebroccoli and is a good source of vitamins C and E.
phytonutrients which all fruits and vegetablesIt also has high levels of photosynthetic proteins
produce because their means of survival in thewhich convert sunlight into energy. Researchers at
environment is through the release ofthe Massachussetts Institute of Technology are
disease-fighting phytochemicals.harnessing the power of spinach in a new
Phytochemicals stimulate the production ofdirection--creating highly cost-effective solar
protective self-repairing cells in plants. They alsopanels.
produce the same kinds of responses in humans.Soy is another phytonutrient rich food. Soy
For example, they release protective enzymesproducts contain genestein, which has been shown
that inhibit cancer-producing substances, thusto have strong anti-cancer properties. It contains
reducing our susceptibility to disease. It makesas well phytoestrogen, which has been shown to
sense for us to harness the powers of plants inreduce the risk and spread of prostate cancer.
our diets. Four sources of phytonutrients thatResearchers suggest that the phytonutrient
cannot be ignored if we want to remain healthyisoflavones, like phytoestrogen, may reduce the
and cancer free are berries, cruciferous and dark,risk of breast cancer.
leafy vegetables, soy and red wine.Another isoflavone compound in soy called
Berries, such as blueberries, cranberries,daidzein has also been found to improve
strawberries, blackberries, raspberries offer thecholesterol and triglyceride levels in women. A
highest sources of phytonutrients. They allstudy conducted at the Cedars-Sinai Medical
produce a natural substance called ellagic acidCenter in Los Angeles has uncovered evidence
which has been shown to be a good defensethat this estrogen-like compound is the main
against carcinogens because they suppress tumorreason for soy's healthy effects. Women with low
development. Blueberries have the highestestrogen levels seemed to have benefited most
antioxidant content. High in flavonoids, they alsofrom daidzein, which reduced LDL cholesterol and
provide powerful protection against prostatetotal cholesterol levels, leading researchers to
cancer.recommend that women include soy food
Two and a half cups of fresh strawberries a dayproducts as part of their cardiovascular risk
can supply enough vitamin C to help restorereduction strategies.
sperm production in men. Cranberries have beenAnd last but not least is the phytonutrient,
known to prevent cystisis, a painful and oftenresveratrol, found in red wine, that literally makes
recurring urinary tract infection in women. A studywine drinking a cancer-fighting measure.
involving 72 postmenopausal women found thatResveratrol is present in the leaves, twigs and
10 ounces of cranberry juice every day reducedbark of the grape vines. And red wine, which is
the likelihood of bladder infection by 58%.fermented from grape skins, seeds and twigs
Cranberries have also been shown to reducetends to have large quantities of these
stomach ulcers and lower LDL cholesterol levels.cancer-fighting substances.
Cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli, BrusselsResveratrol has also been demonstrated to be a
sprouts, cauliflower) and dark leafy vegetablespotent antioxidant (more potent than vitamin C
(like swiss chard, spinach) also have high levels ofalone) which can act synergistically with vitamin C,
antioxidant phytonutrients. In a study conductedthus enhancing the effects of each. It also
by New York's Strang-Cornell Cancer Researchprevents the formation of blood clots and
Laboratory, women who consumed a diet high inpromotes the formation of new dendrites in the
cruciferous vegetables experienced a dramaticbrain.
drop in estrogen levels, which means that theseLet us put all these phytonutrients to good use.
vegetable are definitely powerful tools for fightingWhy not sit down to a hearty soy burger,
against breast cancer. The assumption is that thebroccoli spears and cauliflower salad, warm berry
phytochemicals in these vegetables deactivatecompote and a glass of red wine? Yummy! Life
potent estrogens, thus preventingcannot be better!
estrogen-sensitive cells, particularly in the breast ,