11.01.13
Preliminary global phytonutrient research findings from Amway’s Ada, MI-based Nutrilite Health Institute suggested that people around the world might lack different key phytonutrients in their diets due to low global fruit and vegetable intake. Study results were presented by Nutrilite scientist Yumei Lin, PhD, before members of the International Union of Nutrition Science during the 20th International Congress of Nutrition in Granada, Spain. According to Amway, these findings begin to unravel phytonutrient gaps worldwide and add to previous Nutrilite research that revealed shortfalls in phytonutrient consumption in Korea and the U.S.
Phytonutrients, or the compounds found in colorful fruits and vegetables, may provide a range of health benefits and are increasingly recognized as important components of a healthy diet. However, research conducted in Korea in 2012 and the U.S. in 2010—both published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—indicated that phytonutrients are limited in many diets and come from a limited variety of food sources. For example, the largest gap in Korea was found in lycopene and ellagic acid, commonly found in watermelon and tomatoes, while Americans showed the largest gap in quercetin, which is often contained in apples and onions, as well as allicin, which can be found in garlic. Amway’s Nutrilite Health Institute staff suggested that phytonutrient intake gaps are not just relegated to Korea and the U.S. alone, and that there are likely global phytonutrient shortfalls, which may vary regionally due to different diets.
Nutrilite supports ongoing research to better understand the role of phytonutrients in human health, as well as supplementation trends and the best ways to deliver optimal health for every lifestyle. Publication of the complete findings from Nutrilite’s global phytonutrient research is anticipated in 2014.
Phytonutrients, or the compounds found in colorful fruits and vegetables, may provide a range of health benefits and are increasingly recognized as important components of a healthy diet. However, research conducted in Korea in 2012 and the U.S. in 2010—both published in the Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics—indicated that phytonutrients are limited in many diets and come from a limited variety of food sources. For example, the largest gap in Korea was found in lycopene and ellagic acid, commonly found in watermelon and tomatoes, while Americans showed the largest gap in quercetin, which is often contained in apples and onions, as well as allicin, which can be found in garlic. Amway’s Nutrilite Health Institute staff suggested that phytonutrient intake gaps are not just relegated to Korea and the U.S. alone, and that there are likely global phytonutrient shortfalls, which may vary regionally due to different diets.
Nutrilite supports ongoing research to better understand the role of phytonutrients in human health, as well as supplementation trends and the best ways to deliver optimal health for every lifestyle. Publication of the complete findings from Nutrilite’s global phytonutrient research is anticipated in 2014.