Phytonutrient

A Phytonutrient is a chemical found in plants (apart from vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients) that have a beneficial effect the body. There are hundreds, if not thousands of phytonutrients and they have effects such as boosting the immune system, and are antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and promote cellular repair. Highly coloured vegetables and fruits tend to be highest in these chemicals, but tea, chocolate, nuts, and flax seeds are all excellent sources as well.

Various families of plants tend towards certain families of phytonutrients, for example, orange foods tend to have the carotenoid group. Other examples include lycopene in tomatoes and pink grapefruit, the anthocyanins in berries, and flavanoids in chocolate.