other protective molecules. No single
molecule can protect against all kinds of
damage. Unusually high concentrations of
single types can actually tip the balance the
wrong way and cause damage. So the best way
to reap the full benefits of the antioxidant
powers of plants is not to take manufactured
supplements of a few prominent chemicals: it
is to eat lots of different vegetables and fruits.
Other Beneficial Phytochemicals
Antioxidants may be the most important
group of ingredients for maintaining long-
term health, but they’re not the only one.
Trace chemicals in plants, including herbs and
spices, are turning out to have helpful effects
on many other processes that affect the
balance between health and disease. For
example, some act like aspirin (originally
found in plants) to prevent the body from
overreacting to minor damage with an
inflammation that can lead to heart disease or