摘要：Phytochemicals constitute a
heterogeneous group of substances and evidence for their role in the protective effect on human health, when
their dietary intake is significant, is emerging. These compounds have biological properties as antioxidant
activity, modulation of detoxification enzymes, stimulation of the immune system, decrease of platelet
aggregation and modulation of hormone metabolism. Glucosinolates and widely group of polyphenols,
including the main category of flavonoids, are examined. Since their weak estrogenic activity is of interest at
present, isoflavones are discussed at length. Numerous factors affect the phytochemical content and
availability in plants; these factors include enviromental conditions and industrial or domestic processing. The
bioavailability of phytochemicals can be influenced by intrinsic factors in food and/or in human, in general
the substances are little adsorbed, largely metabolized and rapidly eliminated. For this reason it is advisable
that their consumption is constant in the time to mantain high concentrations of metabolites in the blood
