Foods of high nutritive values are in consumption since long. Soy products, whole grains, yeast or yeast extract are well known to scientists and commoners. Only in recent past a lot of research has been made on their properties and mode of action in fighting diseases. Specific chemical compounds that may prevent or fight disease are identified and isolated from these foods and are categorized as Phytochemicals.
The term "Phytochemicals" refers to a wide variety of compounds found in fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and other plants. Phytochemicals are a very broad class of substances having a beneficial effect on health. Scientists have identified thousands of phytochemicals, although only a small fraction has been studied closely. Some of the commonly known phytochemicals include beta carotene, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), folic acid, and vitamin E.
Much research is now under way on the phytochemicals of the type -
- Carotenoids. This group includes beta-carotene, canthaxanthin, lutein, lycopene, phytoene, zeaxanthin, and other compounds.
- Indoles. This group includes indo-3-carbinol and other compounds.
- Isothiocyanates. This group includes phenethylisocyanate, sulforaphanes, and other compounds.
- Organosulfur compounds. This group includes diallyl sulfide and other compounds.
- Phenols. This group includes anthocyanosides, curcurmin, hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, syringic acid, tocotrienols, as well as the well-known Flavonoids sub-group which includes apigenin, ellagic acid, galangin, hesperetin, kaempferol, luteolin, myricetin, nobiletin, quercetin, silymarin, tangeretin, thearubigins, theoflavins, etc.
- Phytohormpnes. This group contains several subgroups
- Isoflavones, including biochanin, coumestrol, daidzein, equol, genistein
- Lignans, including enterodiol and enterolactone
- Others such as resveratrol
- Protease inhibitors. This group includes compounds such as Bowman-Birk inhibitor.
- Saponins. This group includes a variety of compounds.
- Terpenes. This group includes compounds such as carvones, eugenol, isoeugenol, limonene, perillyl alcohol, picrocrocin, and safranal.
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