All of these foods are packed full of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phytochemicals. Most of us are familiar with vitamins, minerals and fiber but phytochemicals may be new.

Phytochemicals (meaning “plant chemicals”) are substances in fruits, vegetables and whole grains. They are neither vitamins nor minerals, and they supply no calories. Yet they may help protect against cancer, heart disease, and other diseases. Like vitamins and minerals —which also come from plants (as well as from animal-derived foods)—phytochemicals are essential to good health; however, no one knows how many and how much of them we need.

Phytochemicals help prevent cancer in a number of ways. They can prevent potentially cancer-causing substances, or carcinogens, from forming. They may block the action of carcinogens on their target organs or tissue. Still others act on cells to suppress cancer development. They may also help protect against other diseases, notably heart disease.

They may influence blood pressure and blood clotting or reduce the synthesis and absorption of cholesterol. Certain pigments (carotenoids) in plant foods may protect the eye against free radical damage and thus prevent or postpone macular degeneration, which can lead to blindness.

For information on this or any other nutritionally-related issue, contact the MGH Dietetics Department at 906-225-3490 or toll free at 1-800-562-9753, ext. 3490.