Phytochemicals (fight-o-chemicals) are naturally occurring substances in fruits and vegetables. Phytochemicals may help fight to protect your health. Fruits and vegetables have hundreds of phytochemicals. Phytochemicals work together with vitamins and minerals to promote good health.
Here are just a few examples of the phytochemicals found in fruits and vegetables:
- Carotenoids in red and yellow-orange fruits and vegetables (such as tomatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots)
Lycopene in tomato-based foods (such as tomato sauce, tomato paste)
- Lutein and zeaxanthin in leafy greens (such as collard greens, spinach, romaine lettuce)
Flavanoids in brightly colored fruits and vegetables (such as blueberries, cherries, strawberries)
The vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables combine for a health-protecting and disease-fighting effect that you can't get from vitamin pills. Only a variety of fruits and vegetables give you all of these nutrients together.