These days, the north American diet contains more unhealthy, processed and fatty foods, whereas before, consumers filled up on more natural, plant based foods.
Because of this trend to eat unhealthy, there has been an increased number of people with heart disease, high cholesterol, cancer, stroke, and many other lethal and debilitating diseases.
Most of the time, this can be attributed to a lack of plant based foods in the diet that provide essential nutrients to live a healthier life.
Many people opt mostly to eat foods that are full of fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
The phytochemicals that these plant based foods contain are not consumed enough, yet most people know that you can get important fiber, minerals, and vitamins from them.
Phytochemicals exist in various foods and in different concentrations.
Below I've listed those with the highest amount of phytochemicals that you can include in your everyday regime.
Broccoli, pumpkin, spinach, squash, yams, and sweet potatoes all contain important carotenoids, an important phytochemical.
Flavonoids can be found in many different natural foods, including: berries, soybeans, carrots, tomatoes, cabbage, parsley, and cucumber.
Legumes, peas, and beans contain healthy isoflavones.
Indioles, another phytochemical, is available in cabbage, bok choy, turnips, brussel's sprouts, kale, and cauliflower.
Flaxseeds and walnuts contain Lignans, as well as many other kinds of seeds and nuts.
Fatty acids, or lipids, are seen in flaxseeds, hemp oil and hemp seeds, and walnuts.
Eggplant, hemp seeds and oil, peppers, squash, cabbage, cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, cabbage, and soybeans, contain plant sterols.
There are tons of nutrients that are contained by the entire phytochemical family, and these are perfect for any diet.
Health problems and diseases can be fought in many ways through phytochemicals, since they readily help your body in several ways.
When carcinogens try to enter into the cell walls, phytochemicals help block them.
Malignant changes that have already started in the cells by carcinogens are battled.
Phytochemicals seem to increase the benefits of the many protective enzymes that are eaten in the diet, by raising enzyme activity.
The damage that the body can receive from free radicals is scavenged by phytochemicals that mix with different vitamins to boost antioxidants.
This is done before damage can be caused to the body.
Bad cholesterol levels have been shown to be reduced as well.
By maintaining a diet that is rich in a variety of vegetables, fruits, and nuts, the benefits of the phytochemicals and vitamins go far in helping you reach maximum health.
Knowing the names and benefits of the varied range of existing pyhtochemicals is not important, but understanding how eating a diet rich in these foods can help your body, is of great importance.