There’s no doubt that fruits and vegetables offer many positive health benefits. There have been plenty of studies to prove this. And today, there are even more studies being conducted that show fruits and vegetables play an even greater role in maintaining better health than ever proved before.
Fruits and vegetables, and additional plant foods like beans, grains and other plants contain phytochemicals—a variety of compounds that come from different plant sources. These compounds offer different benefits for the body. And there are so many names that these phytochemical compounds are known as: antioxidants, anthocyanidins, carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflavones, phytonutrients, and polyphenols. Six phytochemical compounds and some of their health benefits, that you should be aware of, are listed in the below bullet points:
- Anthocyanidins – Help maintain blood vessel health.
- Beta carotene – Offers bone health, immune system health, skin health, and vision health.
- Isoflavones – Aids joint inflammation, helps lower cholesterol, and offers bone health.
- Lycopene – Aids in cancer prevention and heart health.
- Lutein – Aids in cancer prevention, vision health, and heart health.
- Resveratrol – Helps heart health, inflammation, and lung health.
When you maintain a balanced diet that includes foods which offer phytochemicals, you provide your body with a rich source of beneficial compounds, so make sure and include a variety of plant foods into your diet every day.