Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells in your body from
free radical damage that can occur fro
m exposure to certain chemicals,
smoking, pollution, radiation, and as a byproduct of normal metabolism.
Dietary antioxidants include selenium, vitamin A and related
carotenoids, vitamins C and E, plus various phytochemicals such as
lycopene, lutein, and quercetin.
There are large amounts of antioxi dants in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains and smaller amounts of antioxidants in meats, poultry, and fish. Junk foods, such as highly processed fast foods tend to be much lower in antioxidants. No surprise.
Antioxidants are present in a number of fruits, including oranges, berries, apples, mango, and kiwi, to name just a few. They can also be found in fresh vegetables, for example, peppers, potatoes, yams and artichokes. Usually, the raw form of fruit and vegetables is richer in antioxidant concentration than the cooked preparation.
Interestingly, some unexpected sources of antioxidants can help prevent strokes, such as coffee, red wine, and chocolate. Most processed foods and meats do not contain a significant amount of antioxidants.
The best way to get antioxidants is through a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants have an interesting biological interaction with a type of harmful chemical called a free radical.
The structure of antioxidants allows them to detoxify free radicals.
To understand what antioxidants actually do, it helps to understand a little bit about free radicals and oxidative damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules formed through a chemical reaction called oxidation. When we are exposed to toxins or extreme emotional stress, we form too many free radicals. Cigarette smoke, pollution, and some chemical additives expose our bodies to toxins that trigger the formation of free radicals through oxidative damage.
Free radicals are chemically unstable, and they have a tendency to stabilize themselves by destabilizing nearby structures of the body, causing diseases such as stroke, heart attacks and cancer.
However, antioxidants are particularly stable and can actually safely stabilize free radicals before the free radicals have an opportunity to wreak havoc on the body. Thus, antioxidants have been found to counteract the effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. That is why antioxidants are given that name- because they combat the effects of oxidative damage!
.
There are large amounts of antioxi dants in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains and smaller amounts of antioxidants in meats, poultry, and fish. Junk foods, such as highly processed fast foods tend to be much lower in antioxidants. No surprise.
Health Benefits of Antioxidants
Consuming foods rich in antioxidants may be good for your heart health and may also help to lower your risk of infections and some forms of cancer. Increase your antioxidant intake by eating more nuts, seeds, legumes, fruits, and vegetablesAntioxidants and stroke protection
A Norwegian study followed 20,000 men and found that the men who ate food with high antioxidant content more than 27 times per month had a 20% reduced stroke risk. The participants also experienced lower rates of heart disease and cancer.Antioxidants are present in a number of fruits, including oranges, berries, apples, mango, and kiwi, to name just a few. They can also be found in fresh vegetables, for example, peppers, potatoes, yams and artichokes. Usually, the raw form of fruit and vegetables is richer in antioxidant concentration than the cooked preparation.
Interestingly, some unexpected sources of antioxidants can help prevent strokes, such as coffee, red wine, and chocolate. Most processed foods and meats do not contain a significant amount of antioxidants.
The best way to get antioxidants is through a diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables.
Antioxidants have an interesting biological interaction with a type of harmful chemical called a free radical.
The structure of antioxidants allows them to detoxify free radicals.
To understand what antioxidants actually do, it helps to understand a little bit about free radicals and oxidative damage. Free radicals are unstable molecules formed through a chemical reaction called oxidation. When we are exposed to toxins or extreme emotional stress, we form too many free radicals. Cigarette smoke, pollution, and some chemical additives expose our bodies to toxins that trigger the formation of free radicals through oxidative damage.
Free radicals are chemically unstable, and they have a tendency to stabilize themselves by destabilizing nearby structures of the body, causing diseases such as stroke, heart attacks and cancer.
However, antioxidants are particularly stable and can actually safely stabilize free radicals before the free radicals have an opportunity to wreak havoc on the body. Thus, antioxidants have been found to counteract the effects of free radicals and oxidative stress. That is why antioxidants are given that name- because they combat the effects of oxidative damage!
.
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