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| als had a much higher risk of disease. They also found evidence that many of those newly discovered phytonutrients were at least as important in protecting our bodies as vitamins and mineralsif not more so. |
| SMART DEFINITION |
| Antioxidants |
| Nutrients that help protect against disease and strengthen the body's immune system. Among other functions, antioxidants promote tissue repair and prevent the formation of harmful moleculesknown as free radicalsthat can trigger cancer. |
| Coming Full Circle |
| Since then, research has not only validated the simple credo "you are what you eat" but has also unearthed an incredible array of healing properties in foods, reopening our eyes to the traditional concept of food as medicine. |
| Among the findings: |
| Certain compounds in onions and garlic can discourage blood clotting and increase cancer resistance. |
| Beta-carotene and vitamins C and E, found in many fruits and vegetables, act as antioxidants, helping the body to defend against disease, thus slowing the aging process. |
| Pectin, the type of fiber found in apples, helps lower cholesterol levels and may protect against diabetes. |
| Ironically, technologywhich distracted scientists from the food-health connection in the first placehas now made it possible to detect previously unknown compounds and chemical processes and observe their effects in the body. |
| Today, even notoriously cautious and conservative scientific groups agree that nutrition is an essential part of disease prevention and treat- |
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