Phytonutrients are substances contained in plants that have nutritional value. Technically, vitamins and minerals come from plants, so they could be considered to be phytonutrients. However, phytonutrients go beyond vitamins and minerals they are more obscure, are present in much smaller amounts and usually have profound effects on our health. Scientists often call them phytochemicals but in nutritional science, they are called phytonutrients. The term phyto is used in botany and herbal science to describe substances contained in plants.
Nutrients are substances that have nutritional value.
Phytonutrients help promote, support and maintain your body s biochemical health in many ways. Limonenes in citrus fruits, which help protect cells from free radical activity. Genestein in soy beans provide numerous health benefits while carotenes in many orange, yellow and dark green fruits and vegetables promote and support healthy immune function. Bioflavonoids and polyphenols in red wine, grapes, blueberries and other fruits, protect cardiovascular tissue health. The only place you can obtain phytonutrients is from fruits and vegetables in your diet.