Antioxidants
You've probably heard too many facts about antioxidant benefits. 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.
| Antioxidant fruit Antioxidants are nutrients found in our food that help slow down and prevent damage to our body from oxidation... | ||
Berry anthocyanins as novel antioxidants in human health and . Edible berries, a potential source of natural anthocyanin antioxidants, have demonstrated a broad spectrum of biomedical functions. These include cardiovascular disorders, advancing age-induced oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, ... | ||
Spirulina EURresearch library groups studies by health benefit (Nutraingredients.com) The document contains 435 abstracts of human and animal studies conducted at universities, government sponsored research facilities and by private researchers around the world... | ||
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Researchers Show New Antioxidant Could Help Treat Cardiovascular Disease (Medical News Today) Researchers at the University of Glasgow believe they have found a potential new treatment for cardiovascular disease which reduces blood pressure. Scientists at the British Heart Foundation Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre (BHF GCRC) used a recently-developed antioxidant called MitoQ10 to prevent damage to the mitochondria of cells in an experimental model of hypertension and stroke... | ||
HealthWatch for July 1, 2009 (The Charleston State Journal) Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables could help boost endurance, the FDA votes to lower the maximum dose of acetaminophen and the ability of a mother to identify a weight problem in her child appears to be dependent on her own weight... | ||
Health Benefits of Coffee | HealthierWays.com One reason we get our antioxidants from coffee is that we simply consume more of it than any other source of antioxidants. According to a study by Nestle Research Center in Switzerland, coffee has four times more antioxidants than the ... | ||
Antioxidant may boost exercise endurance (Reuters via Yahoo! News) Eating a variety of fruits and vegetables rich in the antioxidant quercetin may boost endurance, according to a small study with healthy college students... | ||
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Concern About Antioxidants and Breast Cancer - New York Times
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Mind Body Spirit and Soul: Fact EUR Eating antioxidants to Save Skin Clinique has this daily moisturizer, i.e. New Continuous Rescue¢ Antioxidant Moisturizer that contains a complex of eight antioxidants, both rapid and delayed-release, dedicated to our skin that helps keep it strong, and at the same ... | ||
Antioxidants and Male Fertility: Scientific American Podcast One effort examined the effects that antioxidants might have on sperm. The researchers hypothesized that antioxidants could lower the oxidative stress that can harm sperm. More antioxidants could theoretically improve both sperm ... | ||
Medical News: Obesity Report; Swine Flu Warning; Chocolate And Blood Pressure (WCVB Boston) Massachusetts is one of the leanest states in the nation, according to the new report, F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America... | ||
Antioxidant may boost exercise endurance - Reuters
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Antioxidants can slow loss of sight in old age, scientists find - guardian.co.uk
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Organic farming raises antioxidants, lowers impact on workers . This tidbit of information came in this week's newsletter from our CSA provider, Grant Farms: You might wonder why and how organic farming elevates... | ||
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Researchers show new antioxidant could help treat cardiovascular . - PhysOrg.com
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The Day in Medicine (12 FOX Mankato) Welcome back.We first told you yesterday government experts were considerin read more.. | ||
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Antioxidants Help the Liver Carry Out Its Cleansing Processes . The most common cause of liver disease is excess alcohol. Aside from consuming alcohol, learn which other factors - such as obesity and malnutrition - can play... | ||
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