Although it sounds like some strange concoction prepared in the laboratory of a mad scientist, phytochemical is just a fancy word for plant chemical. But, these are no ordinary chemicals. These compounds may actually ward off some of the most serious health threats around today. Neither vitamin, mineral nor calorie-provider, phytochemicals are abundant in plant foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes and seeds.
Phytochemicals protect plants from everyday environmental hazards such as sunlight and fungus.
Due to these protective effects, phytochemicals have piqued the interest of researchers who speculate that ingestion of phytochemical-rich foods may exert a similar benefit on we humans. It turns out they may be right. Among the thousands of phytochemicals that exist, thousands more have yet to be identified and isolated, thereby further stressing the importance of a varied diet. By eating a wide range of foods that include a minimum of five servings a day of fruits and vegetables, you will be able to reap the benefits of these powerful plant compounds. Keep in mind that the operative word here is eat.