Phytonutrients: are you getting yours?
We all know that eating our fruits and vegetables is good for us. They supply needed vitamins and minerals and fibre, but another way that fruits and vegetables benefit our health is through phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are unique compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods that have positive effects on our health. There are several thousand phytonutrient compounds that can be found in plant-based foods, and each one supports our bodies in its own way (1). Carotenoids and flavonoids are two groups of phytonutrients that offer valuable benefits for overall health. Carotenoids Carotenoids are among the most abundant phytonutrients. Good sources can be easy to identify since they colour fruits and vegetables with vivid red, orange, and yellow hues. Dark green vegetables are also rich sources of carotenoid phytonutrients. Two especially beneficial carotenoids are beta carotene and lycopene. Beta carotene is a carotenoid that can be converted [...]