- Make It Yourself Lavender Heart-Shaped Bath Bombs!
- 20 Things You Never Knew About “Down There”
- 12 Best Foods For Those Suffering From Arthritis Pain
- 12 Personal Hygiene Mistakes Almost Everyone Makes (Mom Never Told You About #4!)
- 15 Medicinal Plants And Herbs From The Cherokee People
- 12 Mind-Blowing Benefits Of Drinking Coconut Water During Pregnancy
- 12 Outstanding Winter Foods That Won’t Fatten You Up Like A Christmas Turkey
The Health Benefits Of Superpower Phytonutrients
Photo credit: bigstock.com
Types Of Phytonutrients And Their Benefits
1. Curcumin is the active ingredient in the widely-praised superfood turmeric and is responsible for giving this vegetable its signature deep orange color. A staple ingredient in Indian food and many other Asian cuisines, it is also what gives curry its distinct flavor. Curcumin has powerful anti-inflammatory properties, and multiple studies have shown it to have cancer-fighting potential. Unfortunately, the curcumin in turmeric is not absorbed very well by the body. However, eating turmeric with black pepper can help improve the absorption.
2. Do you like berries? Then you’re in luck! Flavonoids are one of the most powerful types of phytonutrients and are found to varying degrees in almost all types of berries, so no matter which kind you like best, you’ll be able to reap their benefits. Flavonoids are a type of phytonutrient which are found in blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, grapes, and raspberries, just to name a few. There are different types of flavonoids, including flavonols, quercetins, resveratrol, and more. Each of these helps fight oxidative stress and inflammation. They are also effective at binding to heavy metal compounds and excreting them from the body.
3. Finally, there is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG, which is found in green tea. This powerful beverage is widely known for its antioxidant properties, and this is the reason why. EGCG also has other health benefits, including protecting the brain. One study published in Molecular Food & Nutrition Research found that EGCG was able to promote the generation of new brain cells in the areas of the brain most affected by neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease. Other studies have shown that EGCG was effective in lowering blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, inhibiting the growth of cancer, and even helping people lose weight.
KEEP READING: 10 Best Antioxidant Rich Foods
Phytonutrients are a complex subject, and this is by no means a comprehensive list of all their attributes, but unless you’re a biologist or a nutritionist, you don’t need to know all the details. All you need to know is that phytonutrients offer so many health benefits—and are in so many things you probably already eat—that you’d be foolish not to include them on your shopping list. So quit stalling, pick up some berries, and see what all the fuss is about.
References:
