Phytochemicals pigment

The power of superfruits exists mainly in their established natural nutrients but also is exhibited in other natural compounds, called phytochemicals. Among nature s astounding variety, phytochemicals comprise thousands of different compounds, including the pigments that give fruits their bright colors. Think of the wonderful red luster of a fresh strawberry that crimson color comes from phytochemical pigments called anthocyanins, which hold potential value for health. 

Why emphasize red grape as a superfruit Only red, rather than white or green, is included because its skin color derives from additional phytochemical pigments, mostly anthocyanins, some of which have promise as health agents. Standing tall among these red grape phytochemicals is... 

Furthermore, several studies have shown that in some individuals an increased intake of xanthophylls does not lead to increased levels of xanthophylls in their plasmas and/or retinas, and macular pigment densities do not exhibit a positive correlation with plasma levels of lutein and zeaxanthin (Aleman et al., 2001 Bernstein et al., 2002b Bone et al., 2000, 2001, 2003 Hammond et al., 1995,1997). These apparently conflicting epidemiological results need to be interpreted with caution as a diet rich in fruit and vegetables includes a great variety of phytochemicals that may independently, or in cooperation with lutein or zeaxanthin, and other dietary components affect carotenoid uptake and function in the retina. 

Naturally occurring compounds such as phytochemicals, which possess anticar-cinogenic and other beneficial properties, are referred to as chemopreventers. One of the predominant mechanisms of their protective action is due to their antioxidant activity and the capacity to scavenge free radicals. Among the most investigated chemopreventers are some vitamins, plant polyphenols, and pigments such as carotenoids, chlorophylls, flavonoids, and betalains. Resolution of the potential protective roles of... 

Grapes and berries are rich sources of phytochemicals including phenolic compounds, pigments, and ascorbic acid. 

Phytochemicals or phytonutrients are bioactive substances that can be found in foods derived from plants and are not essential for life the human body is not able to produce them. Recently, some of their characteristics, mainly their antioxidant capacity, have given rise to research related to their protective properties on health and the mechanisms of action involved. Flavonoids are a diverse group of phenolic phytochemicals (Fig. 6.1) that are natural pigments. One function of flavonoids is to protect plants from oxidative stress, such as ultraviolet rays, environmental pollution, and chemical substances. Other relevant biological roles of these pigments are discussed in other chapters of this book. 

Ricketts, T.R. (1966) Magnesium-2,4-divinylphaeoporphyrin-a-5-monomethyl ester, a protochlorophyll-like pigment present in some unicellular flagellates. Phytochem. 5, 223-229. 

Also included among my valued superfruit characteristics are two classes of nonnutrient phytochemicals called carotenoids and polyphenols (also known as phenolics or phenolic acids). Both classes include natural color chemicals called pigments, consisting of hundreds to thousands of individual compounds giving color and other qualities to plants. Carotenoids and polyphenols are under intensive research for their potential health values to humans. 

Carotenoids (orange-yellow pigments, some of which are converted into vitamin A following digestion they are a group of phytochemicals the amounts needed are unknown)... 

Polyphenols (red-tan, blue-purple-black pigments they are also a group of phytochemicals with undefined daily requirements)... 

The central message from this chapter is that you should think of superfruits as exceptional sources of nutrients proved by science as essential for maintaining health. That said, superfruits are better known by the public for their phytochemical compounds such as carotenoid and polyphenol pigments. In the next chapter, I ll tell you about how phytochemicals are related to potential health and antidisease effects—a compelling but complex topic still being unraveled by scientists. 

As you now know, fruit phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols associated with the color of superfruits have potential health properties—this fact is the premise of the Color Code, first presented years ago in separate books by Drs. David Heber and Jim Joseph (see complete references in Appendix D). Colors from nature s palette of pigments represent a simple way to keep superfruits in mind for your daily meals and snacks Later on, I ll show you how superfruits and the Color Code can be an easy visual guide to shopping for healthy meal planning. 

While this research is unfolding, wouldn t it be wise to begin the practice of eating a nutrient- and phytochemical-rich superfruits diet now Diseases are not inevitable and may actually be prevented by adopting sound dietary habits based on superfruits with pigment power and the Color Code. 

The rich red color of strawberries comes from numerous phytochemicals of the polyphenol family and its major subgroup, flavonoids, which are densely found in strawberries. One flavonoid class in particular, antho-cyanins, accounts for most of the red pigmentation of strawberries, but also present are ellagic acid, ellagitannins, catechins, and cinnamic acid, each having significant health research interest. In preliminary laboratory tests, these strawberry polyphenols are showing evidence that they may lower the risk of inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases. 

Typical of many members of the botanical plant family Solanaceae, which also includes the tomato, eggplant, and pepper, goji is phytochemically rich, characterized by having both major classes of pigments—carotenoids and polyphenols, identified in laboratory research as having antidisease mechanisms. Goji appears to be one of the richest plant sources of the carotenoid zeaxanthin (closely related in chemical structure to the... 

Nutrient Content high in dietary minerals, moderate vitamin C Phytochemical Content high in polyphenols called punicalagins (ellagi-tannins) and anthocyanins (red pigments)... 

Second, plant compounds called phytochemicals are nonnutrient components of plant foods that may impart health benefits, similar to the pigment antioxidant polyphenols, on the basis of which nearly all superfruit juices are promoted with eye-catching advertisements. Because these phytochemicals await final scientific proof of what they really do in the human body, they are regarded neither as nutrients nor as essential to health. 

Phytochemicals with different colors such as anthocyanins and flavonoids could attract much attention for two main reasons Firstly, these color-rich phytochemicals might generally be safer when compared to artificial colorants such as Sudan red III, and other synthetic pigments [1]. Long-term intake of artificial food additives might be harmful to human health. Secondly, patents might not be necessary for the use of plant colorants. 

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