Did you know? What are phytonutrients, nutrients that we cannot create ourselves, and where can we eat them?
In addition to eating vegetables to help you look beautiful and have a good figure, vegetables also contain vitamins and phytonutrients. Did you know that?
Who still doesn’t know enough about the benefits of eating vegetables? Introduce you to a special type of nutrient found in vegetables that is just as beneficial to your health as vitamins and minerals, namely “phytonutrients”.
Let’s get to know the “phytonutrients” in vegetables.
For health-conscious people, we often hear about phytonutrient supplements, especially in various dietary supplements. This can be inferred that phytonutrients must be very beneficial to the body. So what are they? Why are they only found in vegetables?
Phytonutrients are natural substances that plants produce for their own growth, such as:
- Used for photosynthesis,
- used for building plant strength,
- used for creating different colors, flavors, and smells in vegetables.
There are more than 25,000 types Which is quite a lot. However, the 6 most commonly found and the ones that have been shown to be beneficial to the human body are:
- Carotenoids
- Ellagic acid
- Flavonoids
- Resveratrol
- Glucosinolates
- Phytoestrogen
Each type of phytonutrient is found in different vegetables and provides different benefits to our bodies.
Overall, it can be said that natural substances in vegetables and fruits that the body cannot extract on its own and that provide benefits to our bodies.
Benefits of “Phytonutrients”
As mentioned earlier, each “phytonutrient” has different compounds, comes from different types of vegetables and fruits, and provides different benefits to the body. For example,
some phytonutrients help as antioxidants, some
have anti-inflammatory properties, help reduce inflammation in the body, and
some strengthen the immune system, help the body to be ready to fight various pathogens, help inhibit and fight cancer cells, and help slow down aging.
In terms of health and beauty in vegetables can help improve health. The benefits if we were to categorize them simply so. That we can choose to eat vegetables that promote health as we want. Can divided into 5 groups according to the color of the vegetables: orange, red, white, green, purple, as follows:
Phytonutrients from orange vegetables (beta-carotene, carotenoids)
Carotenoid phytonutrients are phytonutrients that plants create for use in the photosynthesis process to create their own food. They are found in abundance in orange, yellow, and red fruits. Such as papaya, carrots, and tomatoes. This type of https://ufabet999.app phytonutrient has the properties to help nourish the eyes and the immune system, reduce the risk of eye diseases, macular degeneration, and improve blood circulation in the eyes. Those who frequently use their eyes and stare at the screen for a long time should eat more vegetables and fruits in this group.
Red vegetables (lycopene)
Lycopene is a red pigment that gives plants their striking color and attracts herbivores to eat their fruits. It is a life cycle that helps plants reproduce. For humans, lycopene is found in abundance in red fruits and vegetables. Such as tomatoes and berries.
Lycopene has antioxidant properties, which helps fight cancer cells, making your skin healthy. It is one of the important nutrients that skin lovers should not miss.
Purple vegetables (resveratrol)
Resveratrol is a phytonutrient that plants produce to help strengthen plants and reduce stress. Resveratrol found in purple vegetables. That help prevent heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and help slow down aging.