Antioxidants

Antioxidant benefits are common health topic. If you keep up with the news or read health related magazines it's likely you're already aware that antioxidants are good for you. What you may not know is how they work and how to incorporate them into your diet. To understand the function of antioxidants it is helpful to first understand free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that have an oxidizing effect on the body. These molecules can damage healthy cells and are thought to have a link to certain diseases like cancer, heart disease and even cataracts. The oxidation caused by free radicals can be compared to how rust damages metal.


Unfortunately it is impossible to avoid free radicals. They are produced by normal chemical processes in the body. They can be produced by aerobic exercise, sun exposure, stress, smoking, drinking alcohol, pollution and many other sources. In some ways, free radicals can actually be helpful because they don't just damage healthy cells, they damage harmful germs as well. Free radicals in the body is a totally natural thing, but can be harmful when the level of free radicals gets out of control. Too many free radicals in the body can lead to cell damage which is what you want to avoid.

Antioxidants bind together with the free radical molecules, neutralizing them and reducing their harmful effects on healthy cells. In addition to rendering free radicals harmless, antioxidants can even assist in the repair of cells that have already been damaged. So, antioxidants serve two purposes. They neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals and they help repair sustained damage. Everyone needs antioxidants in their diet, unfortunately not everyone gets enough on a daily basis. Although the body does produce certain antioxidants naturally it is imperative to also consume antioxidant rich foods and beverages. You may also want to consider a supplement if you do not consume enough of these foods and beverages.

Antioxidant benefits can be obtained by consuming lots of produce. Broccoli, red peppers, carrots, kale, oranges and berries are just a few fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. Other sources include coffee and tea. White tea is the least processed type of tea which means it has the most antioxidants, with green tea coming in second. You can even get antioxidants from dark chocolate and red wine, when consumed in strict moderation. Now that you know the benefits of antioxidants, you may want to adjust your diet to make sure you are getting enough of them.



Free Radicals & Antioxidants


Antioxidants News:

Acai Berry: Nutritional Values, Anti-Aging, Potent Antioxidant - PRLog (free press release)
Moving on with my research, I needed to figure out which brand was the best and where to buy it. After speaking with a few of my contacts, I found that Acai Optimum was the most reputable on the market. Finding out that ...


Water Soluble Cinnamon Extract Could Reduce Risk Of Diabetes And Heart Disease
A study led by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) chemist Richard Anderson suggests that a water soluble extract of cinnamon, which contains antioxidative compounds, could help reduce risk factors associated with diabetes and heart disease. By Rosalie Marion Bliss..


Energy drinks flop in antioxidant health
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'Tortured' potatoes more nutritious say scientists - News.com.au
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How To Make Antioxidant-Rich Drinking Water
Can you imagine how great you would feel if you could drink something that had more antioxidants than green tea all day, every day? Imagine how vibrant you would be if you were getting 3-4 litres of antioxidant-rich fluids every day. ...


Acai Berry: Potent Antioxidant, Disease Fighting, All Natural - PRLog (free press release)
PRLog (Press Release) EUR Aug 25, 2010 EUR Acai Berry has been pretty wide spread in the news lately. It's ability to aid in weight loss has been discussed by many including Oprah, Dr Oz, CNN, 60 Minutes, Barbara Walters ...


Boosting Healthful Antioxidants In Potatoes - Redorbit.com
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Do Antioxidant Supplements Help Athletes?
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Blueberries, walnuts, black rice are good for the brain
We've all heard that blueberries are good for our brains, but scientists now say they do it in a previously unrecognized way...


Food for Geeks: Look to the Cookie.for Augmented.
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Brain Food
It makes perfect sense that foods we eat affect our bodies, including our brains.A With so many older adults diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimera TMs disease daily, researchers continues to try pinpointing which foods or individual nutrients have protective effects on the brain.A Remember, ita TMs based to get these nutrients through food rather ...


Discovering Out The Best Antioxidant in Nutrition and Beverages .
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Free Radicals Explained




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