Wj. Craig, PHYTOCHEMICALS - GUARDIANS OF OUR HEALTH (REPRINTED FROM ISSUES IN VEGETARIAN DIETETICS, VOL 5, PG 1-8, 1996), Journal of the American Dietetic Association, 97(10), 1997, pp. 199-204
Consuming a diet rich in plant foods will provide a milieu of phytoche
micals, nonnutritive substances in plants that possess health-protecti
ve benefits. Nuts, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables contain an abu
ndance of phenolic compounds, terpenoids, pigments, and other natural
antioxidants that have been associated with protection from and/or tre
atment of chronic disease such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and
hypertension as well as other medical conditions. The foods and herbs
with the highest anticancer activity include garlic, soybeans, cabbag
e, ginger, licorice, and the umbelliferous vegetables. Citrus, in addi
tion to providing an ample supply of vitamin C, folic acid, potassium,
and pectin, contains a host of active phytochemicals. The phytochemic
als in grains reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.