Chemicals isolated from plants.

Phytochemicals are substances that are found only in plants and that have biological effects in humans. Some of them may provide health benefits beyond those provided by essential nutrients (vitamins and minerals). Eating a variety of colorful phytochemical-rich fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower risk of some chronic diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Phytochemicals may act as antioxidants, protect and regenerate essential nutrients, and/or work to deactivate cancer-causing substances.

Compounds that act as free radical scavengers to help eliminate the highly charged oxygen molecules that are by-products of metabolized oxygen. Phytochemicals are known for their anti-oxidant properties.

Plant chemicals that provide health benefits beyond basic nutrition. These are found in fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains, and are being examined for added physiologic benefits which may reduce chronic disease risk and improve overall health.

Substances plants naturally produce to protect themselves against viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Phytochemicals help protect humans against some cancers, heart disease, and other chronic conditions.

Substances found in edible fruits and vegetables that may be ingested by humans daily in gram quantities and that exhibit a potential for modulating the human metabolism in a manner favorable for reducing the risk of cancer. (Modified from the IFIC Glossary of Food-Related Terms at www.ific.org/glossary/glossarynz.cfm.)

A wide range of molecules that can act as antioxidants. Such compounds counteract the damage done to DNA cells by free radicals — charged particles produced by sunlight, chemicals, many foods and simply the stress of day-to-day living. .

substances found in fruits and vegetables that may protect against cancer

colored substances in fruits and vegetables that have cancer-preventative properties

Chemicals that are derived from plants. Many of these have health benefits.

A class of helpful chemical substances found in plants. Many of these chemicals are thought to reduce your risk of cancer.

Plant chemicals, some of which are associated with potential health benefits.

Substances that occur naturally in plants and have been shown in research to possibly prevent or cure disease.

Chemicals found in plants

Literally meaning, “plant chemicals”, phytochemicals are protective food factors derived from a variety of plant sources which have powerful health benefits. Wherever there is plant life, phytochemicals protect plants from enemies in the environment like bacteria, viruses, radiation, and even insects. Research is now showing that we can benefit from these life-sustaining qualities, as well. Research indicates that phytochemicals can provide protection against various cancers.

(also referred to as phytonutrients, from the root word – "phyto" meaning from a plant) are naturally occuring plant chemicals found in foods of plant origin, including whole grains, vegetables, fruit, legumes and other plant foods. In the plant, phytochemicals carry out an assortment of functions including protecting against disease. In humans, phytochemicals are believed to enhance the body's natural line of defenses against chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Examples of phytochemicals include: carotenoids, flavonoids, isoflavones, capsaicin and protease inhibitors.

biologically active molecules produced by plants that have health promoting properties.

Substances found in plants that may reduce the risk of cancer.

Documented nutrients derived from plant chemicals that contain proactive compounds in the prevention or treating of diseases.

term used to describe substances found in herbs and other plants which promote good health.

Chemical compounds or chemical constituents formed in the plant's normal metabolic processes. The chemicals are often referred to as "secondary metabolites" of which there are several classes including alkaloids, anthraquinones, coumarins, fats, flavonoids, glycosides, gums, iridoids, mucilages, phenols, phytoestrogens, tannins, terpenes, and terpenoids, to mention a few. Extracts contain many chemical constituents, while chemicals that have been isolated from the plant are considered pharmaceutical drugs (i.e., digoxin having been isolated from the foxglove or Digitalis lanata plant).

Phytochemicals is simply a word that means “plant chemicals.” Once, researchers attributed the health promoting affects of plants to their numerous vitamins, minerals and fibers. More recently, however, researchers have discovered that the many other chemical compounds in plants also provide benefits to humans when consumed. Phytochemicals provide plants with protection from the environmental challenges they face, such as ultraviolet light. When we consume plants rich in phytochemicals, they seem to protect us as well. Some researchers estimate that up to 40,000 different phytochemicals will someday be fully catalogued and understood. Polyphenols are a class of phytochemicals that are particularly rich in antioxidants and plentiful in POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice.

chemicals produced by plants

The active health-protecting compounds found in plants, including soy. Many of these non-nutritive substances have potent biological activity and may help to lower risk for many chronic diseases. Soybeans contain a variety of phytochemicals and are the only food source with nutritionally significant amounts of one type of phytochemical called isoflavones. Currently, the terms "phytochemical" and "phytonutrient" are being used interchangeably to describe those plant compounds that are thought to have health-protecting qualities.