Unlocking the Power of Phytonutrients: What They Are and How They Benefit You

Plants contain naturally occurring compounds called phytonutrients (phyto = plants). These substances play a crucial role in protecting plants from various threats such as insects, UV rays, and diseases. When we consume them through eating fruits, vegetables, grains, and other plant-based foods, phytonutrients provide significant health benefits.

Here’s What Phytonutrients Do for Our Health:

1.     They Work Like Bodyguards: Many phytonutrients act as antioxidants, which means they protect us from free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that damage our cells and tissues if they are not kept in check. So antioxidants help keep your cells safe from harm, which can prevent diseases like heart disease and some cancers.

2.     They Keep Inflammation Down: Some phytonutrients can help stop inflammation, which is a way our bodies react to injury, poor diet/lifestyle choices, illness, and exposure to toxins. Longterm inflammation can cause all sorts of problems and even lead to chronic diseases such as heart disease and arthritis. Phytonutrients keep inflammation under control, which keeps us feeling better.

3.     They Boost Our Immune System: Phytonutrients can make our immune system stronger, helping us fight off germs and sickness more effectively.

4.     They Help Balance Hormones: Working as antioxidants and helping balance our inflammation indirectly helps our hormone regulation. But also, some phytonutrients can specifically help balance individual hormones in our body, like estrogen.

5.     They Help Get Rid of Toxins: Certain phytonutrients help clean out harmful toxins from our body. This can helps us feel more energized but also can lower our risk of getting certain cancers.

6.     They're Good for Our Hearts: Phytonutrients can help keep our hearts healthy by improving how our arteries work and our blood pressure regulation.

7.     They Protect Our Eyes: Some phytonutrients help protect our eyes from damage. They help decrease the risk of some age related eye diseases.

8.     They Protect Our Skin: Phytonutrients can also protect our skin from sun damage, which helps prevent skin cancer and keeps our skin looking healthy longer.

Where Do We Get Them?

The best way to get a wide variety of phytonutrients is by eating a varied diet rich in colorful fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Each color in fruits and vegetables is often associated with specific types of phytonutrients.

Eating a variety of these foods every day is the best way to make sure we get enough phytonutrients. There's no set amount we need to eat each day, but filling your plate each meal with 1/2 of it as colorful fruits and vegetables is a great goal!

So, eating all these plant foods not only makes our meals colorful and tasty but also helps keep our bodies strong and healthy!