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By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern

The word “phytonutrient” is a word that sounds very complicated, like one only a person well-versed in all things science might understand. But before you go whip out your old high school biology textbook, keep on reading for a quick crash course on phytonutrients and what they do for our bodies.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, phytonutrients, also called phytochemicals, are naturally occurring plant substances that are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, legumes, nuts, and seeds. These phytonutrients play an important role in the health of plants, as they help protect them against bugs, fungus, and other environmental threats.

Registered dietician Amber Sommer says that phytonutrients do similar things for our bodies. While they’re not actually antioxidants, phytonutrients have antioxidant effects, meaning they help to protect our cells from free-radical damage and oxidative stress. They also offer anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting benefits, which help with cardiovascular health, cognitive health, and protect against cancer and disease.

Getting phytonutrients into your diet is easy, as there are more than 10,000 types of phytonutrients. Some of the most common include carotenoids, ellagic acid, flavonoids, glycosylates, and phytoestrogens. Sommer says that the best way to get them into your diet is to eat a wide variety of whole foods, especially fruits and vegetables.

Luckily for us Arizonans, our local famers produce a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, even through the winter months due to our climate! So, getting your hands on quality produce to up your phytonutrient intake is easy! While the term phytonutrient may sound complicated, the health benefits that they provide aren’t!

For more health-related articles, check out the Fill Your Plate blog!