Q&A Jo Robinson The nutrient hunter

摘要

All plants make phytochemicals, which protect against predation, disease and other threats. When we consume certain plants, we may also receive some protection - Ⅰ give evidence from the scientific literature in my book. Lycopene in tomatoes guards against ultraviolet light, and has been shown to protect us from sunburn, for example. A relatively new discovery is that since the invention of farming, we have been breeding varieties with progressively fewer beneficial phytochemicals, partly because many taste bitter or astringent. Fruit and vegetables with fewer of these compounds may offer less protection against hypertension, cholesterol, inflammation and other ills. Part of my work is to identify heirloom and modern varieties, such as Purple Peruvian potatoes, that are rich in phytochemicals and pleasing to the palate.