The most frequently consumed foods are coffee, white bread and sugar, in that order. Due to over-farming, chemical farming, processing, and refining, the nutrient content of much of our food is questionable. Thus, many believe that the majority of Americans are overfed and under-nourished. The other key is to protect the body's tissue cells from the free radicals before they cause mutations. They include any substance that significantly delays, inhibits, or prevents oxidation caused by free radicals.
Phytochemicals are literally chemicals that come from plants.
These plant chemicals fight many diseases. Many photochemicals are antioxidants, but they also have other properties, such as stimulating plant growth, and providing color to plants and flavor to vegetables. In humans, phytochemicals enhance the body's own healing powers. Oxidation in our environment is seen as rusting of metal, rotting of meat, browning of apples, and the brittle changes in old rubber. Because our diets are inadequate, we need to take antioxidant supplements.