
Organic or conventional - there are chemicals hiding in your apples. Sounds scary, but the truth is that these beneficial phytochemicals (also called phytonutrients) can be protective against chronic disease and help prevent certain cancers.
The word “phytochemical” means chemicals from plants, and these unique compounds are created during the plant’s photosynthesis. You can find them in plant sources such as carrots, berries, leafy greens and more. An apple’s skin and fleshy interior contain different nutrients, so it’s a good idea to leave the (washed) peel on your fruit to get the most benefits. This is another reason why whole, plant-based foods are more beneficial than popping a vitamin pill. With the whole fruit, you get a host of phytonutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, energy and filling fiber.
While no single nutrient can work miracles, by including more whole fruits and veggies in your diet, you can empower a strong body and feel your best. More than 5,000 phytochemicals exist, but most are not well understood yet. Research is underway exploring exactly how these biological compounds correlate with reducing disease. These compounds, which include antioxidants, help repair DNA and cell damage, which is important since most cancers and diseases are caused by an initial damage to a cell’s DNA containing instructions for growth.
Even though you might not have realized it, you see phytochemicals every day. The orange or a carrot can be attributed to carotenoids and the blueness of blueberries comes from anthocyanins. Luckily, you don’t have to memorize a lengthy list of tricky names, just incorporate whole fruits and veggies into your diet - at least five a day - and you’ll benefit from these hidden health boosters.
References:
https://www-ncbi-nlm-nih-gov.ezproxy.lib.utexas.edu/pmc/articles/PMC442131/
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