Discuss phytochemicals. What are they? What functions do they provide? What effect, if any, do they have on health?
What will be an ideal response?
Phytochemicals are compounds found in plant-derived foods that have biological activity in the body. In foods, they impart tastes, aromas, colors, and other characteristics. For example, they give peppers their burning sensation, garlic its pungent flavor, and tomatoes their red color. In the body, phytochemicals can have profound physiological effects—acting as antioxidants, mimicking hormones, stimulating enzymes, interfering with DNA replication, suppressing inflammation, destroying bacteria, and binding to cell walls. Any of these actions may prevent the development of chronic diseases, depending in part on how genetic factors interact with the phytochemicals. Phytochemicals might also have adverse effects when consumed in excess as a dietary supplement.
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