We need two words for health, wellness, restorative sleep, mental acuteness, and detoxification. They are phytonutrients and polyphenols (P/P). In the next few minutes, I will attempt to distil my experiences with and knowledge of where to find P/P.
Some plants produce compounds with health benefits. If “phytonutrients” is a new word for you, antioxidants are part of that family. Other family members are;
- Ellagic acid, Flavonoids, and Glucosinolates detoxify and promote immune & heart health
- Resveratrol to increase lifespan, I need some of that, please
- Phytoestrogens to protect bone and hormone health
- Carotenoids for eye and immune health
Do any of those interest you?
Another all-star line-up of health benefits can be gained with polyphenols. This family consists of more flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes, and 8000 other “cousins”, to offer you these advantages.
- Reduce cardiovascular disease risk
- Regulate blood sugar
- Combat inflammation
- Support healthy digestive system function
- Anti-cancer properties
Ready to find out how to get this goodness into your diet yet?
For all the coffee and tea fans, both have P/P. When we add heaps of sugar and milk, we can counteract those properties, but I will not deny the flavours are great. When I want a sweet, and creamy tea, I choose matcha or Thai tea. For all the health benefits stick to tea and coffee without additives.
Another intersection of P/P is in berries. Low in carbohydrates, high in fibre, vitamin C, and P/P blueberries, plums, black currants, cherries, and strawberries are very healthy for you. Toss some in your morning yoghurt and grains. I am not sure a blueberry mojito is all that bad for you.
I have super news for you. Are you ready? Wine is in both columns! Ruby red wines contain the highest density, up to 8x more than other varieties. We can do a little good with a white wine or a lot of good with a bottle of red. Essentially, P/P are great for detoxing the liver, making the wine filtration all that much more effective.
It seems polyphenols and phytonutrients are the Light Horse Interchange of healthy foods to put in our bodies. Olives, beans, nuts, seeds, wine, berries, coffee, tea, and chocolate. Oh, I didn’t mention chocolate.
Turns out cocoa powder is another gift to improve cognitive function, gut & digestive health, sexual function, skin health, reduce blood pressure, risk of heart disease, cholesterol, and contains anti-cancer properties due to the rich content of P/P in the plant.
P/P are available in pill and powder supplements. Nothing replaces the quality and effectiveness of processing and absorbing natural foods. We have evolved to consume, break down, and digest what our body needs. Eating a trash diet and adding chemical-processed supplements does more harm, not less.
This will sound totally crazy to you, but I’m going to say it anyway. Many people don’t like brand-new concepts. I think your health is worth eating a balanced diet that includes many fresh fruits and vegetables.
There, I said it. I know it’s a crazy concept.
