What are Phytonutrients?
Pytonutrients are an extremely important aspect of your daily nutrition.
If you have checked out the nutritional labels on your favorite Bod•ē Pro products, you might have noticed we are big fans of phytonutrients. But what exactly are phytonutrients? “‘Phyto’ refers to the Greek word for plant. These chemicals help protect plants from germs, fungi, bugs, and other threats. Fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients. Other plant-based foods also contain phytonutrients, such as whole grains, nuts, beans, [and] tea. Phytonutrients aren't essential for keeping you alive, unlike the vitamins and minerals that plant foods contain. But when you eat or drink phytonutrients, they may help prevent disease and keep your body working properly.”[1] There are six main types of phytonutrients: carotenoids, ellagic acid, flavonoids, resveratrol, glucosinolates, phytoestrogens. Carotenoids act as antioxidants in the body and convert things like alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin in vitamin A, which is important for eye health. Ellagic acid is found in various fruits such as strawberries and pomegranates and may help prevent various health issues, much like flavonoids which are found in foods such as green tea, citrus, kale, and onions. Resveratrol is found in food items such as grapes, purple grape juice, and red wine and acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent in the body. Glucosinolates are found in cruciferous foods such as kale, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage. Although further human trials are needed, there have been suggestions that these foods might help stave off certain health issues, as can phytoestrogens which are found in items such as flaxseeds and sesame seeds.
So there you have it—by now, you can surely see why we think phytonutrients are so fantastic! Bod•ē Pro makes it easy to incorporate these amazing elements into your diet, but be sure to talk to your physician before starting any new diet or exercise routine.
[1] “What Are Phytonutrients? Types and Food Sources.” WebMD, WebMD, 29 Oct. 2018, www.webmd.com/diet/guide/phytonutrients-faq#2.