What Benefits Lie in the Garden?

Plants provide diversity in the human diet and are important sources of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fiber. Plants enrich man's environment by adding beauty and functionality. Plants are important sources of pharmaceuticals; the plant-human interaction is important for man's psycho-social health. Fruits and vegetables provide important diversity in the human diet. Vitamins A and C, micronutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron are mainly obtained from fruits and vegetables.

In addition to the flavor, vitamins and minerals, a growing body of evidence suggests that plants are important sources of disease-preventing compounds such as antioxidants and other secondary compounds. Most modern medicines, and many industrial feedstuffs are derived from plants. New products are being developed continually--ethanol as a fuel from corn, etc. Fragrances, dyes, and fibers are all plant products.