Transcript Follow the Rainbow to Good Health

Follow the Rainbow to Good
Health
Eat in color
Phytonutrients
Definition: a bioactive plant-derived compound
(as resveratrol or sulforaphane) associated
with positive health effects.
These are called phytonutrients or
phytochemicals."Phyto" refers to the Greek
word for plant. These chemicals help protect
plants from germs, fungi, bugs, and other
threats.
Antioxidant
Definition: Antioxidants are chemicals that block
the activity of other chemicals known as free
radicals.
Adding antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to
your daily diet will strengthen your ability to
fight infection and disease.
Free Radicals
Definition: An atom or group of atoms that has
at least one unpaired electron and is therefore
unstable and highly reactive. In animal tissues,
free radicals can damage cells and are
believed to accelerate the progression of
cancer, cardiovascular disease, and agerelated diseases.
Carotenoids
• Carotenoids act as antioxidants in your body.
This means they tackle harmful free radicals
that damage tissues throughout your body.
• Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables have
high vitamin A activity because of the
carotenoids they contain
• Your body can convert all of these to vitamin
A.
Flavonoids
• an amazing array of over 6,000 different substances
found in virtually all plants, are responsible for many of
the plant colors that dazzle us with their brilliant
shades of yellow, orange, and red.
• What can high-flavonoid foods do for you?
• Help protect blood vessels from rupture or leakage
• Enhance the power of your vitamin C
• Protect cells from oxygen damage
• Prevent excessive inflammation throughout your body
Lycopene
• is a carotenoid and phytonutrient found in red
fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink
grapefruits, watermelons and papayas. It is
the compound that is responsible for the red
color in these foods.
• Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can
help protect against degenerative diseases.
Macromolecule/macronutrient
• any very large complex molecule; found only in
plants and animals
• Macronutrients are nutrients that provide
calories or energy. Nutrients are substances
needed for growth, metabolism, and for other
body functions. Since “macro” means large,
macronutrients are nutrients needed in large
amounts. There are three macronutrients:
• Carbohydrate
• Protein
• Fat
Cruciferous
• Cruciferous vegetables have it all: vitamins,
fiber, and disease-fighting phytochemicals
• One of the big reasons to eat plenty of
cruciferous vegetables is that they may help to
lower your risk of getting cancer.
• especially mustard greens; various cabbages;
broccoli; cauliflower; brussels sprouts
Lutein
• Lutein is a yellow-to-orange pigment found
mostly in plants.
• Eating a diet with lots of colorful fruits and
vegetables that contain lutein may also
decrease your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Anthocyanins
• Anthocyanin pigments are responsible for the
red, purple, and blue colors of many fruits,
vegetables, cereal grains, and flowers.
• In addition to acting as antioxidants and
fighting free radicals, anthocyanins may offer
anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer
benefits.