ไฟโตนิวเทรียนท์ - Phytonutrients

Phytonutrients: Nutrients from 5 colors of fruits and vegetables

Phytonutrients are a group of nutrients that are beneficial to the body, such as antioxidants. Boosting immunity and cell health, it is found in 5 colours of vegetables and fruits.

ไฟโตนิวเทรียนท์ - Phytonutrients

WHAT ARE PHYTONUTRIENTS?

 Phytonutrients are a group of nutrients found in various vegetables and fruits, all 5 colours.

  • Anti-oxidant
  • Prevents cell damage caused by free radicals

  • Reduce the risk of chronic diseases caused by cell mutations
  • Slow down premature cell deterioration. Anti-aging: Slows down aging, makes the skin beautiful, and reduces the appearance of aging.

Phytonutrients are found only in fruits and vegetables. The human body is not able to produce phytonutrients on its own.

HOW MANY TYPES OF PHYTONUTRIENTS?

There are many types of phytonutrients. They are found in different groups of fruits and vegetables, where the phytonutrients in each type have different benefits for the body. Phytonutrients contain various substances that are beneficial to the body. as follows:

ISOFLAVONE: Green

Isoflavones are classified as a group of flavonoids. Flavonoids are phytonutrients that are commonly found in soybean plants and soy-based products such as tofu, soybean paste, bean curd, soybean milk, etc. Isoflavones are not classified as nutrients because they do not help to support body growth, but they are useful in reducing problems related to postmenopausal symptoms and may prevent body abnormalities or the occurrence of diseases such as certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases, etc.

QUERCETIN: White

Quercetin is a phytonutrient that is found in many fruits and vegetables such as apples, berries, tea leaves, onions, and ginkgo, among others.
Quercetin is a substance in the group of bioflavonoids that has the following main benefits for the body:

  • Antioxidants
  • Helps with anti-inflammation
  • It reduces the risk of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Allergies Prostate cancer, blood pressure, and high cholesterol, as well as dementia and Alzheimer’s.

LYCOPENE: RED

Lycopene is a type of antioxidant that is a sub-unit of carotenoids found in red fruits and vegetables. It is one of the phytonutrients that are extremely useful for the body. The vegetables that contain the most lycopene are tomatoes, especially tomatoes that have been cooked over, as more lycopene is found than in raw tomatoes, and lycopene is also found in watermelons, pink guava, and papaya.     

It has been found that there are many benefits of lycopene for health, including:

  • Helps protect the skin from the sun.

  • Preventing certain types of cancer, such as prostate and lung cancer.

  • Helps prevent strokes and coronary artery disease.
ไฟโตนิวเทรียนท์ - Phytonutrients

ANTHOCYANIN: Purple

Anthocyanins are phytonutrients found in red, purple, and blue fruits and vegetables such as grapes, pomegranates, and berries, vegetables in the purple cabbage group, red guava, radish, and purple sweet potato, as well as cereals such as rice, black rice, purple corn, etc.
It has been found that anthocyanins have various benefits for the body, such as:

  • Antioxidants.
  • Reduce the risk of developing cancer.
  • Reduces inflammation in the body, especially inflammation caused by hyperlipidaemia.
  • Helps nourish the heart.
  • Helps lowers blood sugar levels.

BETA-CAROTENE: Orange

Beta-carotene is a phytonutrient in the carotenoid group that is a precursor to vitamin A. It can be found in orange, yellow, and green fruits and vegetables such as pumpkin, carrots, papaya, cantaloupe, morning glory, kale, gourd, etc.
The Thai fruit with the highest beta-carotene content is ripe mango. The benefits of beta-carotene for the body are many, such as:

  • Helps nourish the eyes.
  • Helps slow down aging.
  • Helps take care of the skin.
  • It also stimulates immune cells in the body to work better.
ไฟโตนิวเทรียนท์ - Phytonutrients

 RESVERATROL: Purple/blue

Resveratrol is a substance found in purple and blue fruits and vegetables. It was found that the skin and seeds of the grape fruit contain many times more resveratrol than the grape pulp.
Resveratrol is a useful phytonutrient.

  • It is a highly effective antioxidant.

ALLICIN

Allicin is a phytonutrient that is found in white fruits and vegetables. It is most common in Garlic.
It was found that 1 gram of fresh garlic contains about 4.35-4.65 grams of allicin.

  • Inhibits the growth of many bacteria and fungi.
  • Helps inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
  • Lowers blood cholesterol.
  • Reduces platelet aggregation.
  • Pevents heart disease.

ISOTHIOCYANATE

Isothiocyanate is a phytonutrient found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, water vegetables, mustard greens, Chinese cabbage, etc.
Isothiocyanate is a substance that has:

  • Anti-carcinogenic chemicals and inhibits the development of cancer cells.
  • It can inhibit the occurrence of lung cancer and oesophageal cancer.
  • It can reduce the incidence of breast cancer in women.

EGCG

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) is a type of plant compound called catechin found in plants such as green tea, white tea, black tea, and oolong tea. It is found in nuts such as pecans, pistachios, and hazelnuts, among others. It was found that EGCG helped as an:

  • Anti-oxidant.
  • Anti-inflammatory.
  • Reduces pressure.
  • Lowers cholesterol and reduces the build-up in blood vessels.
  • Helps strengthen the functioning of the nervous system.
  • Prevent brain diseases.

ELLAGIC ACID
Ellagic acid is an antioxidant found in fruits and vegetables such as guava, pomegranate, walnuts, pecans, and is abundant in berries. Strawberries, grapes, cherries and raspberries. Ellagic acid is a phytonutrient substance that has a beneficial effect on the body.

HESPERIDIN

Hesperidin is a phytonutrient in the group of bioflavonoids, which is found in oranges and lemons. The benefits of hesperidin for the body include:

  • Helps fight various chronic pathogens such as coronary artery disease. Disorders in the nervous system.

Phytonutrients are a large group of substances that contain many subgroups. It is often found in 5 colours of vegetables and fruits, each with different health benefits. Although phytonutrients help in disease prevention and treatment, those who are interested should also study and understand the limitations of taking phytonutrients iIn order to benefit from phytonutrients as effectively as possible.

Reference:

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2. Pimphen Pornchalermpong Kiattikun and Nithiya Rattanaponon. Isoflavones. foodnetworksolution.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
3. Angkana Wongsakul. Cancer Prevention of Cruciferous Isothiocyanates. tci-thaijo.org. Published 18 November 2015.
4. Pobpad. Anthocyanins, phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables. Pobpad.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
5. Saichon Ketusa. Published October-December 2010. ku.ac.th. Allicin. Disthai.com. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
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Yuexin Yang,and Jun Du.Phytonutrients: Sources, bioavailability, interaction with
gut microbiota, and their impacts on human health. Front Nutr. 2022.Published
online 2022 Aug 16.
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