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Phytochemicals: an important component of healthy diet.


               Introduction
Phytochemicals are groups of non nutrients plant's colour presents in food or as supplement which are biologically active in the body. They are widely present in plant food such as fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.
Some examples of phytochemicals are

  • Lycopene present in tomato
  • Limonene present in citrus fruits
  • Catechins present in teas
  • Dially sulphide present in ginger/garlic.
  • Quercertin present in apple e.t.c.

Phytochemicals, when adequately present in the diet delivers a wide range of benefit in the prevention of some chronic diseases like;
Cancer
Diabetes mellitus
Cardiovascular diseases and lot more.
  Dietary choice
Phytochemicals content of the diet can be increased with diet rich in fruits (like apple, citrus), vegetables especially green leafy ones, legumes like soy e.t.c.
   Lycopene is responsible for the red colour of tomato, it is an healthy source of this phytochemicals, this can be enjoyed by increasing the use of tomato in food preparation as in soups and sauces.
Green and black tea also contains phytochemicals, so increase intake of teas deliver a good number of this phytochemicals to the body.

Eat with colour and enjoy the preventing role of phytochemicals in diseases.

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