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Phytonutrient Infographic

At-a-glance: What are phytonutrients and why are they important?

Research commissioned by Amway’s Nutrilite Health Institute and published in the September 2014 issue of the British Journal of Nutrition found that the majority of adults worldwide would have to at least double their current consumption of fruits and vegetables to meet the World Health Organization’s minimum recommendation of five servings (400 grams) per day.

3 of 4 adults worldwide do not meet the World Health Organization’s recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables a day1

The gap between the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables and what adults are actually eating also indicates that most adults worldwide are not receiving the quantity or variety of phytonutrients – organic compounds found in fruits and vegetables – potentially needed to support their health and wellness. While specific recommendations for phytonutrient consumption levels have not yet been established uniformly worldwide, a growing body of research suggests that eating foods rich in phytonutrients may provide a range of health benefits, from promoting eye, bone and heart health, to supporting immune and brain function. Many phytonutrients are powerful antioxidants that can help fight the damage caused to our bodies’ cells over time.

Phytonutrients, the organic components found in plants, can help promote eye, bone, joint and heart health, as well as support immune and brain function.

The infographic below highlights key findings from the Global Phytonutrient Report and the wide range of health benefits that phytonutrients provide.

Most recently, Amway and the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) released research investigating the transforming state of malnutrition around the world to advance discussions among key stakeholders to address the epidemic. The Malnutrition Mapping Project visualizes the global burden of malnutrition in all its forms in low-, middle- and high-income countries, providing a broad perspective on the importance of proper nutrition in the health of people and economies, using data compiled from more than 30 countries. The Nutrilite™ Power of 5 Campaign is Amway’s global effort to fight childhood malnutrition through the distribution of Nutrilite™ Little Bits™, a micronutrient supplement designed to provide children essential vitamins and minerals in their first 5 years of life.

1. Hall JN, Moore S, Harper SB, Lynch JW. Global variability in fruit and vegetable consumption. Am J Prev Med. 2009; 36(5):402–409.