Terpenes are a diverse group of organic compounds derived from a 
substance that contain vitamin B5. Triterpenes are a subclass of terpenes.
Subtypes:
Subtypes of terpenes include monoterpenes (geraniol, limonene, and terpineol), diterpenes (cafestol, cembrene and taxadiene), triterpenes (ambrein, ganoderic acid, ziziphin, cucurbitacins, and sequalene), tetraterpenes (lycopene, alpha-carotene, beta-carotene, and gamma-carotene), sesquiterpenes, sesterterpenes, and sesquarterpenes.
Food Sources:
Fruits: jujube, lemon, lime, mango, olive, and watermelon.
Vegetables: dill, reishi mushroom, squash, and sweet potatoes.
Health Benefits:
- They are potent antioxidants.
- Demonstrate anti-inflammatory activities.
- Enhance the immune system.
- Have anti-cancer properties.
- Ganoderic acid has an anti-cancer activity against liver cancer. It also decreases conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterne (DHT).
- Show analgesic and aphrodisiac effects (ambrein).
- Increases liver glutathione level.
- Have ability to trap and neutralize benzopyrenes, cancer-inducing compounds found in cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes, and charcoal grill smoke.
