Publications

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2023 Faculty of Biomedical Sciences IAA Journal of Applied Sciences

Beyond Nutrients: Exploring the Potential of Phytochemicals for Human Health

1,2Esther Ugo Alum* and 2Okechukwu P. C. Ugwu

Phytochemicals are a broad class of bioactive substances that are produced by plants andcan be found in a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, nuts, and herbs. Thesephytochemicals, which include dietary fibers, polysaccharides, phytosterols, isoprenoids,carotenoids, and saponins, provide a variety of health advantages, including antiviral,antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory effects. They also have strong antioxidant qualities. Thisthorough analysis focuses on the several phytochemicals, their origins, and the healthbenefits that go along with them. Recognizing the variety and advantages of phytochemicalshighlights how they might improve human nutrition and health. This article's summarymaterial comes from reliable academic sources such as Pubmed, Google Scholar, andScienceDirect. This page gives a brief introduction to the many and significant categories ofplant-derived bioactive compounds by summarizing the major phytochemical classes, theirorigins, and their health advantages. Using the advantages of these substances to improvehealth outcomes points to a viable direction for further study and implementation in thepromotion of overall wellness and health.Keywords: Phytochemicals, Carotenoids, Polyphenols, Bioactive compounds, Phytosterols, Saponins