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Phytochemicals: What Are They and What Benefits Can They Give to Our Bodies?

Published:July 18th, 2011

Technically speaking, “phytochemical” is just another term that means plant chemical. Some of these plant chemicals provide  beautiful colors to fruits and vegetables. With the aid of modern technology, scientists discovered hundreds of phytochemicals from different plant sources. Phytochemicals have different common names. The most common of which are polyphenols, antioxidants, isoflavones, flavanoids, catechines and carotenoids.

Many people believe that phytochemicals have the ability to improve human health. Though, the results pertaining to the effects of phytochemicals are still not proven beyond reasonable doubt and most of the claimed benefits of these wonder plant chemicals are still left unproven, we all know that these foodstuffs are truly healthful. They aid in the proper digestive process of out foods, improve our bowel movement, decrease our risk for chronic diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.

What are the most popular phytochemicals?

Polyphenols and flavanoids

Polyphenols and flavanoids are  two of the healthiest known phytochemicals in this planet, says an article published by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Polyphenol is a general term used to signify a type of phytophemical and flavanoid is a family member of the polyphenol family. Laboratory studies show that certain flavanoids have the ability to suppress the growth of tumors, prevent blood clot formation, interfere with the effects of sex hormones and suppress the occurrence of inflammation. The most common sources of flavanoids include onions, cranberries, celery, kale, apples, cherries, red wine, soybeans, tomatoes, tea, and thyme. Berries are particularly rich in antioxidant, a type of phytochemical that suppress the activity of free radicals, the chemicals that destroys the integrity of cell walls and gene production resulting in early aging and development of cancer.

Flavanoids are further divided into subtypes. The popular of which are:

Resveratrol

Resveratrol is a flavanoid found in wine, grapes, peanuts and berries. It is particularly rich in red wine, a beverage known to decrease coronary artery disease development by  20 to 30 percent, according to Linus Pauling Institute. Other sources of resveratrol include berries and peanuts. In animal models, it was shown that high intake of resveratrol results in the suppression of tumor growth. However, this fact still needs to be seen in human subjects. In fruit flies, fish and mice, it was shown that daily consumption of resveratrol resulted in increased lifespan. The only problem with resveratrol is that it appears to have a relatively low bioavailability when ingested by human subjects because the body tends to metabolize it fast and effeciently.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a popular antioxidant that protects cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, says the University of Maryland Medical Center. It may also act like an antihistamine or antiallergy. Furthermore, it can protect the cardiovascular system against inflammatory processes that lead to cardiovascular diseases.

Catechines

Green tea  extract is the most common source of catechins. It acts like an antioxidant. Interestingly, it can also reduce the body fat composition of a patient that ultimately leads to weight loss, according to a study conducted by a group of scientists from Health Care Products Research Laboratories, Kao Corporation, Tokyo and published by the January 2005 issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Phytoestrogens or isoflavanes

Isoflavones are known to act like estrogen, a female hormone. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the consumption of soy, a food rich in isoflavones, results in the reduction of symptoms associated with the menopausal period. However, further studies are still needed to establish this fact.

Lignan is another type of phytoestrogen. Flaxseed is the richest source of this type of phytochemical. As mentioned by Linus Pauling Institute, lignans prevent cardiovascular diseases as well as hormone-dependent types of cancer such as breast cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer and prostate cancer. Lignan also appears to improve the bone mineral density in post-menopausal patients suffering from osteoporosis.

Isothiocyanates

Brocolli, cauliflowers, kale, mustard, brussel sprouts and cabbage are the best sources of isothiocyanates, a type of phytochemical that converts the action of estrogen hormones into benign forms. Isotiocyanates also have the ability to block steroid hormones that trigger the development of prostate and breast cancers.

Monoterpenes

Already heard about monoterpenes? Monoterpenes are basically essential plant oils found in rich proportions in fruits, veggies and herbs. According to a study published by Environmental Health Perspectives in June 1997, monoterpenes have the ability to prevent cancer formation process and may be effective in the treatment of early and late stages of cancer. It may also be effective in treating patients with leukemia. However, further studies are still needed to establish this fact.

Organosulfur compounds

Organosulfur compounds appear to improve the immune system function and help the liver detoxify carcinogenic substances taken into the body. In fact, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, it can also reduce the liver’s production of cholesterol. Garlic, onions, shallots, scallions and leeks are the best sources of organosulfur compounds.

Capsaicin

Do you know that peppers contain a unique type of phytochemical not seen elsewhere? According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, peppers contain rich amount of capsaicin, a type of phytochemical that appears reduce the levels of substance P, a chemical substance within the body that  worsen inflammation and pain signals from the central nervous system.

Sterols

Sterols are special phytochemicals found abundantly in vegetable oils. It has different subtypes: stigmasterol, squalene, campesterol, and sitosterol. Sitosterol is the most popular among these sterols because it has a cholesterol-lowering mechanism that appears to benefit those who have problems with their blood cholesterol levels. Furthermore, many people claim that it can also help improve urine flow and excretion, therefore, improving urinary symptoms association with enlarged prostate glands in m ale patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.  The South African star grass, scientific name Hypoxis rooperi, is a plant known for its rich content of sitosterols.

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