Phytochemicals and Your Immune System ~ FEEL BETTER & LIVE LONGER

Phytochemicals are the active substances in plants that give them their color, flavor, odor, and protection against plant diseases. Phytochemicals work as powerful antioxidants that have anti-carcinogenic effects, increasing our resistance to disease. Plus, they boost the body’s immune system and help reverse the aging clock.

To get adequate phytochemicals in your diet, it's important to fill your plate with all the colors of the food rainbow. Eat the blues, reds, purples, oranges, yellows, and greens.

Which is Best, Fresh or Frozen?

It's okay if you don't have time to steam your own fresh veggies. Frozen fruits and vegetables are nearly as nutritious as fresh because they can wait to be picked until they're at the peak of freshness.

Fresh produce is usually picked early, before it's ripe and fully nutritious, so that it ships well. But if you're lucky enough to grow your own fruits or vegetables, or you can buy straight from a farm - that's where you'll find the most nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Phytochemical Supplements?

The power of phytochemicals seems to be lost when removed from food, except if you're fortunate enough to find a high quality 'greens drink'. Drinking one glass of a quality 'greens drink' supplies more than 5 servings of powerful, phytochemical rich nutrition.

Other Phytochemical Foods:

FRUITS: Apples, apricots, avocados, bananas, berries, cherries, citrus fruits, grapes, kiwi fruit, lemons, mangoes, melons, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, plums.

GRAINS: Barley, cornmeal, whole grain, quinoa, brown rice, wheat germ.

NUTS and SEEDS: Flaxseed (a small brown seed used in cooking), macadamia, pecans, sesame seeds, walnuts.

VEGETABLES: Asparagus, beans, beets, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, celery, cauliflower, corn, eggplant, dark leafy greens and lettuces, mushrooms, onions, green and dried peas, sweet and hot peppers, white and sweet potatoes, pumpkin, soybeans, watercress, winter squash, tomatoes, and a host of others.