What are “phytonutrients”? Plant foods contain so many natural chemicals. These are called phytochemicals or phytonutrients. “Phyto”is the Greek word for plant. These chemicals help protect plants from fungi, germs, bugs and other threats.
Vegetables and fruits contain phytonutrients. But other plant-based foods also contain phytonutrients, these include tea, beans, nuts and whole grains.
Phytonutrients are not necessary for keeping you alive, not like the minerals and vitamins that plant foods contain. But when you consumed phytonutrients, these may help prevent disease and keep your body working properly.
The below 10 natural substances have been proven to be the most effective chemopreventive dietary agents against cancer:
1. β-carotene
An orange carotenoid found in various vegetables like squash, carrots, grapefruit, oranges and apricots. Carotenoids are plant pigments responsible for bright red, yellow and orange hues in many fruits and vegetables. These pigments play an important role in plant health.
An orange carotenoid found in various vegetables like squash, carrots, grapefruit, oranges and apricots. Carotenoids are plant pigments responsible for bright red, yellow and orange hues in many fruits and vegetables. These pigments play an important role in plant health.
2. Curcumin
The primary polyphenol in turmeric root
The primary polyphenol in turmeric root
3. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)
A green tea extract
A green tea extract
4. Genistein
A phytochemical found in soy, red clover, and coffee
A phytochemical found in soy, red clover, and coffee
5. Luteolin A flavonoid found in peppers and various green vegetables
6. Lycopene
A red carotenoid found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, and tomatoes
A red carotenoid found in watermelon, pink grapefruit, and tomatoes
7. Resveratrol A phytochemical found in grapes, peanuts, Japanese knotweed
8. Piperine
A phytochemicals found in black pepper
A phytochemicals found in black pepper
9. Pomegranate extracts
10. Sulforaphane
A sulfurous phytochemical found in Cruciferous vegetables
A sulfurous phytochemical found in Cruciferous vegetables
The researchers described the discovery that phytochemicals can selectively target cancer stem cells or CSCs as “a milestone in the improvement of cancer treatment because the synthetic anticancer drugs that are currently used are often highly toxic for healthy organs and weakens the patient’s immune system.“
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