See Antioxidants And The Health Superiority Of Super Foods
Antioxidants are naturally occurring nutrients that guard the body and the immune system from free radicals. A free radical is a destructive and erratic molecule that is created in our bodies during oxidative processes such as the burning of sugars for energy, the release of digestive enzymes to process food and the break down and discharge of environmental pollutants.
A “free radical” is an atom or a molecule that has at least one unpaired electron. This unpaired electron is greatly unstable and it is exceptionally reactive to other atoms and groups of atoms, which leads to an impediment of the cells ability to function normally. Free radicals can also cause cell damage, which is thought to be a leading reason in the increase of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other conditions, along with age-related ailments such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Antioxidants work by matching up with the unpaired electron thereby neutralizing the free radical. Antioxidants can also inhibit the oxidation in the first place. In this process of neutralization the antioxidant will become oxidized itself so therefore antioxidants need to be constantly replaced. Preventing harm from oxidation is imperative, however, preventing oxidation entirely is not possible because oxidation is a innate process of living and it cannot be avoided.
Common foods that we eat everyday give us with antioxidants. Vitamin C comes from citrus fruits and strawberries. Vitamin A and carotenoids are found in pumpkin, butternut squash and other deep orange foods. Vitamin is found in nuts, seed and whole grains. Selenium comes from eggs, chicken, red meat, fish and shellfish. An assortment of phytochemicals including flavonoids and polyphenols can be found in soy, red wine, grapes, cranberries and green tea. Lycopene is from tomatoes and watermelon and Lutein comes from deep green vegetables similar to spinach and kale. Lignan can be found in whole grains like oats and barley and additionally in flaxseeds.
There are also vitamin like antioxidants including Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) and Glutathione and antioxidant enzymes made by the body including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase.
Due to the tremendous evidence of the benefits of antioxidants in the past few years many antioxidants have become offered in the form of supplements. Some of these supplements are comparatively safe, for instance, vitamin C tablets, however other antioxidant supplements have been confirmed to be harmful. It is the synergy of nutrients that provides that benefits and no single antioxidant can protect the body.
So the finest way to get your antioxidants is by consuming a diet of beneficial, healthy food with an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and fish. It is suggested that we consume at least 5 or more servings a day of fruits and vegetables and more may even be better. After all most fruits and vegetables are lower calorie and nutrient dense and there is no threat from consuming your antioxidants via food as opposed to supplements.
The more colorful the food the higher antioxidant qualities it has, so eat colorful foods, like red tomatoes, green spinach, orange oranges and pumpkins and deep purple blueberries. Consume a colorful range every day for the highest antioxidant intake.
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