What's the Story with Antioxidants?
Posted on 2010-02-17 15:40:13
What is an antioxidant and why do we need this in our diets? All over the news we hear of the benefits of antioxidants. Do we really understand what they are and what they can do for us?
An Antioxidant is described as a molecular size substance that protects the cells of the body from oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen). As our body uses oxygen, there are byproducts that are produced known as “free radicals” that can cause damage to cells. This is a natural byproduct of our body’s ability in utilizing oxygen. When free radicals are produced, they create a destructive process in our cell, causing the molecules within our cells to become unstable. This can create a “chain reaction” effect, causing other cells to become damaged. Because of the inherent instability of free radicals, they try to attack other cells until they become unstable themselves. In layman’s term, free radicals are bullies that start pushing everybody around and encourage nice cells to become bullies as well. The byproduct of this is broken, injured, and deformed cells. This has been thought for years to play a major role in premature aging and to be a big player in the formation of cancerous cells.
Antioxidants are the answer to this oxidative process. Examples of antioxidants include: beta carotene, vitamins A, C, E, lutein, lycopene and quercetin. These are found in our dietary intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Resveratrol, found in the skins of red grapes,has anti-inflammatory effects and is beneficial to cardiovascular health. Pomegranate, a roundish red fruit, has been widely researched and shown to benefit many areas of health such a prostate and cardiovascular. By increasing our diets with foods that are high in antioxidants, we can reduce free radicals from damaging healthy cells. This in turn will slow the aging process of our body, increase longevity, and decrease our risk of cancer. The secret to consuming more antioxidants is through your diet. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will supply the majority of your antioxidants. The top ten fruits and vegetables from highest antioxidant activity to less activity is; Blackberry, redcurrant, raspberry, olive(black), strawberry(wild), olive(green), strawberry(cultivated), orange, blueberry, and pineapple. There are more on this list and can be checked out at: www.dietaryfiberfood.com/antioxidant-rich-food-sources.php. Until next time, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and live life to the fullest!
An Antioxidant is described as a molecular size substance that protects the cells of the body from oxidative damage (damage due to oxygen). As our body uses oxygen, there are byproducts that are produced known as “free radicals” that can cause damage to cells. This is a natural byproduct of our body’s ability in utilizing oxygen. When free radicals are produced, they create a destructive process in our cell, causing the molecules within our cells to become unstable. This can create a “chain reaction” effect, causing other cells to become damaged. Because of the inherent instability of free radicals, they try to attack other cells until they become unstable themselves. In layman’s term, free radicals are bullies that start pushing everybody around and encourage nice cells to become bullies as well. The byproduct of this is broken, injured, and deformed cells. This has been thought for years to play a major role in premature aging and to be a big player in the formation of cancerous cells.Antioxidants are the answer to this oxidative process. Examples of antioxidants include: beta carotene, vitamins A, C, E, lutein, lycopene and quercetin. These are found in our dietary intake of fresh fruits and vegetables. Resveratrol, found in the skins of red grapes,has anti-inflammatory effects and is beneficial to cardiovascular health. Pomegranate, a roundish red fruit, has been widely researched and shown to benefit many areas of health such a prostate and cardiovascular. By increasing our diets with foods that are high in antioxidants, we can reduce free radicals from damaging healthy cells. This in turn will slow the aging process of our body, increase longevity, and decrease our risk of cancer. The secret to consuming more antioxidants is through your diet. Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables will supply the majority of your antioxidants. The top ten fruits and vegetables from highest antioxidant activity to less activity is; Blackberry, redcurrant, raspberry, olive(black), strawberry(wild), olive(green), strawberry(cultivated), orange, blueberry, and pineapple. There are more on this list and can be checked out at: www.dietaryfiberfood.com/antioxidant-rich-food-sources.php. Until next time, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and live life to the fullest!There are no comments for this post. Please use the form below to post a comment.
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