Oranges, potatoes and phytonutrients; why are they good for human health.

Abstract

Dietary chemoprevention has emerged as a cost-effective approach to control most prevalent chronic diseases including cancer. Changes in dietary patterns and lifestyle, such as increasing the consumption of fruits and vegetables and more balanced intakes of meat and plant foods, are a practical and effective strategy for reducing the incidence of chronic diseases. Phytonutrients (or phytochemicals) are found in eatable fruits and vegetables that, daily ingested, may exhibit a potential for modulating human metabolism in a manner favourable for the prevention of chronic and degenerative diseases. Carotenoids and flavonoids (anthocyanins, phenolic acids, polyphenols) are examples of phytonutrients. Consumption of total phytochemical intake has been consistently linked to protection from chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. To highlight the beneficial health effects of phytonutrients in plants, we choose two interesting plants, the potato and the citrus fruits. They were chosen owing to their phytonutrient content, and low price, which makes them more easily acquired in low incoming populations, and consequently they are highly consumed not only in developing but also in developed countries. Due to its high nutrient and phytochemical content, the potato can lower oxidative stress, a key mechanism for cancer and cardiovascular disease prevention. Its phenolic compounds act as antioxidants and improve heart health. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the bioactive compounds in citrus which can reduce inflammatory mediators and reactive oxygen species generation, thus attenuating the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Besides important applications in the functional food sector, phytochemicals are also employed in the production of cosmetic and/or cosmeceutical products.