Just when you thought you’d learned everything there is to know about anti-oxidants, you may have started reading reports about phytochemicals. Don’t panic — phytochemicals may sound futuristic, but the name is just the most recent label emphasizing the plant source of most of these protective compounds. What is “new” about phytochemicals is recent research about the disease preventing possibilities they hold.
Phytochemicals are certain organic components of plants which scientists have isolated as being beneficial to human health in a different way from traditional anti-oxidants. They are sometimes referred to as phytonutrients, but unlike the traditional nutrients (protein, fat, vitamins, minerals), they are not “essential” for life so the term phytochemical is more accurate. Still, a true nutritional role for phytochemicals is becoming more probable every day as researchers uncover more and more benefits. It is possible that phytochemicals may indeed someday be classified as essential nutrients.
Phytochemicals have proven to be beneficial in many ways. They may serve as anti-oxidants in a bodily system when required; for example, the phytochemical beta-carotene can metabolize to create vitamin A, a powerful anti-oxidant.