Phytonutrients and their impact on health
- By K. Ghédira
- and S. Derbel
Pages 3 to 12
Cite this article
- GHÉDIRA, K.
- and DERBEL, S.,
- Ghédira, K..
- et al.
- Ghédira, K.
- and Derbel, S.
https://doi.org/10.1684/phyto.2026.0485
Cite this article
- Ghédira, K.
- and Derbel, S.
- Ghédira, K..
- et al.
- GHÉDIRA, K.
- and DERBEL, S.,
https://doi.org/10.1684/phyto.2026.0485
There is an inverse correlation between the consumption of plant-based foods and the incidence of cancer and chronic diseases. These benefits are attributed, among other things, to plant-based nutrients or phytonutrients. These secondary metabolites are divided into four classes according to their chemical structures: polyphenols, carotenoids, sulfur derivatives of garlic, and glucosinolates. They are endowed with several biological and pharmacological properties explaining their benefits for human health. Some of them are active through their antioxidant power, others participate in the enzymatic detoxification of carcinogens present in the body. Because of the diversity of their biological and pharmacological properties, phytonutrients are valuable in the prevention of cancers and various pathologies, in particular cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases.