Phytochemicals: Health protective effects

Consuming a diet rich in plant foods will provide a milieu of phytochemical s, non-nutritive substances in plants that possess health-protective benefi ts. Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, herbs, nuts and seeds contain an abun dance of phenolic compounds, terpenoids, sulfur compounds, pigments, and ot her natural antioxidants that have been associated with protection from and /or treatment of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and cancer. The foods and herbs with the highest anticancer activity include garlic, soybea ns, cabbage, ginger, licorice root, and the umbelliferous vegetables. Citru s, in addition to providing an ample supply of vitamin C, folic acid, potas sium, and soluble fibre, contains a host of active phytochemicals. Clinical trials have not yet been able to demonstrate the same protective effects f rom taking supplements. It is difficult to estimate how many Canadians achi eve an adequate level of consumption, but it seems reasonable to assume tha t many Canadians could benefit from substantially increasing their intake o f vegetables and fruit.