I don't always eat fruits and vegetables. Can't I just
take a vitamin supplement instead?
Sorry, Mom was right on this one. Fruits and
vegetables contain many vitamins and minerals that are essential for
good health- but they also contain other substances, called
phytochemicals, that we are just now beginning to understand.
Phytochemicals are found in plant foods only. Their effectiveness
seems to be linked to interactions with other phytochemicals found in
the same foods. You benefit from eating foods that contain
phytochemicals but not from taking supplements that contain
phytochemicals.
Phytochemicals are known to be beneficial in
the following ways:
They act as antioxidants, keeping oxygen from damaging cells
They inhibit the growth of cancerous cells
They lower cholesterol levels
They lower the risk of heart disease
They decrease the formation of blood clots
Phytochemicals are often associated with the
color pigments in fruits and vegetables. Be sure to eat a variety of
different colors of these foods to ensure an intake of different kinds
of phytochemicals.
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