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In the past, people only focus on five types of nutrients ─ protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals; later, food fiber was included as the sixth nutrient. In recent years as research in active oxygen progresses, phytonutrients have become the focus and is now regarded as the seventh nutrient.
Carotenoid is the key representative of phytonutrients and cannot be produced by the body.Those interested in a balanced diet should pay more attention to carotenoids. |
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n the word “phytochemical”, “phyto” means “plants”. “phyto” refer to the nutrients originating from plants.
From the carotenoids in carrots and spinach. To the polyphends in tea and table wine, anthocyanidins in bluebemies, lycopene in tomatoes, and isoflavones in soy beans, there are now thousands of known phytochemicals.
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- Lutein content in spinach
(per 100g of edible parts)
10.20mg
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A nutrient stored in the yellow spot area in eyes and in the skin
A type of carotenoid, lutein is stored in the eyes and skin. Cabbage, the ingredient for “green juice” and spinach, a type of yellow green vegetable, are rich in lutein. Lutein is a powerful anti-oxidant and can prevent the harmful fats in the retina from over-oxidation, as well as absorb blue rays, preventing the retina from damages. |
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A natural carotenoid closely observed by researchers all over the world
Crocetin is found in the fruit of Cape jasmine and the stamen and pistil of saffron. It is both fat and water soluble. Its most striking feature is its tiny molecular volume, which makes it easily absorbed by the body. At present researchers worldwide are conducting in-depth studies on how crocetin can relieve eye fatigue.
Take Cape jasmine for example. The colour molecules found in its fruit contain a glucose substance “crocetin (crocetin glycoside)” which is water soluble. This colour pigment can be said to be a safe, naturally occurring colour dye. It has been used as a colour addictive in Japanese “wagashi” sweet snacks and rice since ancient times. Crocetin is crocetin with the glucose removed, and only 1kg of crocetin can be extracted from 750kg of fruit, and is thus a precious natural carotenoid. |
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