Phytonutrients are molecules that plants generate as protection against environmental stress. These molecules, when ingested by us, provide us with their protective properties, therefore, The greater the number of phytonutrients that the vegetable contains, the healthier they will be for us.
How do I know which foods have the greatest amount of phytonutrients?
- Consume seasonal foods, contain a greater number of polyphenols and vitamin C.
- Consume plant-ripened foods. The early harvesting of the fruit and its subsequent conservation in chambers means that the fruit does not absorb the minerals and does not synthesize the relevant vitamins. Therefore, its nutritional quality is lower.
- Consume food from organic farming where the plant adapts to the environment so it goes through various stress situations and absorbs what it needs. These stress situations cause the plant to generate a greater number of phytonutrients.
- Eat food in its natural state, juices, smoothies…
- Cook food so that it loses the fewest nutrients: steam, stir-fry, low temperature, etc.
- Eat the skin of the fruit. The skin is what contains the highest concentration of phytochemicals, therefore, it is recommended that they be organic so that it is not contaminated by pesticides or any other chemical substance.
What factors influence the amount of phytonutrients in foods?
- The genetics of food. There are foods that, due to their natural nature, contain a greater number of phytonutrients than others. For example, small varieties of apples contain more phytonutrients than larger varieties.
- the land where the fruit is grown and its fertilization.
- The exposure to sunlight.
- He climate and temperatures.
- He storage, processing and preparation methods.
By eating vegetables we reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. and we add numerous protective mechanisms, expanding our bioprotective deck of available resources.
And you, can you tell us more about phytonutrients?
