Phytonutrients or phytochemicals give plants their colors, smells, and flavors. Phytonutrients can be found in vegetables, fruits, teas, grains and seeds. Generally fruits and vegetables that have bright colors, strong flavors and smells have the most phytonutrients.
Phytonutrients differ from vitamins because phytonutrients are not technically "nutrients". Nutrients are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals. Without nutrients your body will soon die of a nutritional deficiency. If you do not have phytonutrients in your diet you will not die of a nutritional deficiency. There are a sizable amount of chronic disorders that you have a much better chance of dying from or at least suffering from.
Phytonutrients are organic compounds your body needs. They nourish your cells and are powerful antitoxins that help your body use nutrients. They may someday be a very important group of organic compounds used to treat and prevent disease. Researchers are studying how phytonutrients may protect cells from damage, enhance the function of the immune system, and reduce the risk of chronic ailments, including cancer, heart disease and diabetes.
Different phytonutrients work in different ways and the same phytonutrient can work in different ways on different people. There is still much research to be done. There are several thousand compounds that plants make other than carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals, that may have beneficial effects on the body. Only a few hundred have been researched, and begun to be understood.
The easiest and best way to get your phytonutrients in the proportion that nature intends is to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, soy and nuts. Don't forget the green and black teas, they will stain your teeth but you will be giving your body a dose of flavonoids. Your body will thank you.
Phytonutrients are classified by their chemical structure. Their classification is vast and growing, it can be mind boggling. To make things simple here is a short list of some of the common classes:
Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Isoflavones, Inositol, Phosphates, Phytoestrogens, Isothiocyanates, Phenols, Saponins, Sulfides, and Terpenes.
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