With the height of summer’s bounty upon us, it’s never easier than during the summer to get your daily dose of plant-based nutrition.
Phytonutrients Abound in Summer Produce
‘Phyto’ is the Greek word for ‘plant.’ Phytonutrients, sometimes also referred to as ‘phytochemicals,’ are found in fruits and vegetables. Foods made from fruits and vegetables, such as whole grain bread, tofu and tea, also have phytonutrients. These compounds often act as antioxidants in your body, which means they help prevent damage to our cells in the body. Antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
There are more than 20,000 different types of phytonutrients. Some of them have recognizable names, like carotenoids, flavonoids, resveratrol, and lutein. Some other less common phytonutrients include coumarins, indoles, isoflavones, lignans, organosulfures, ellagic acid, glucosinolates, phytoestrogens and plant sterols. Here are some of the most common, along with food sources of each:
Carotenoids
Alpha- and beta-carotene are precursors to Vitamin A and are known for promoting eye health. Find carotenoids in yellow, orange and red foods like carrots, sweet potatoes and pumpkins.
Flavonols
Part of a larger group of phytonutrients called flavonoids, flavonols like Quercetin can reduce the risk of asthma, some cancers and heart disease. Find it in apples, berries, onions and kale. Another flavonol is Resveratrol, often cited as beneficial in the prevention of heart disease. Resveratrol is found in grapes, grape juice and red wine, and benefits are best achieved when combining moderate consumption with regular exercise.
Lutein
Also good for eye health, lutein helps prevent cataracts and age-related macular degeneration. Find lutein in dark, leafy greens such as kale and spinach.
Lycopene
Can lower the risk of prostate cancer in men. Find lycopene in red and pink fruits, like tomatoes and watermelon.
Phytonutrients are also responsible for the unique colors of foods. For example, carotenoids give foods an orange color, like carrots, and anthocyanins give foods red, blue and purple colors. Just like it’s important to ‘eat the rainbow’ of fruits and vegetables to ensure you get a variety of phytonutrients, having the right combination of foods in your diet yields the most health benefits.
According to the United State Department of Agriculture, half your plate should be fruits and vegetables, and another quarter should be grains. With the majority of your plate made up of phytonutrient-containing foods, it’s easier than you think to help prevent disease simply by eating!
Holly R. Layer is a Registered Dietitian and a freelance writer. She teaches fitness classes at the Southtowns YMCA and leads nutrition tours at the East Aurora Cooperative Market. She lives in the village with her husband, Andrew, an East Aurora native. She blogs at www.thehealthypineapple.com and her work appears monthly in the Refresh Buffalo Blog. Questions to Holly can be emailed to eanews@eastaurorany.com.
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