Boosting Health with Antioxidants

Free Radicals are one of the causes of cell damage. These are produced in the cells through a chemical reaction known as oxidation. Antioxidants are particles that are able to slow down or prevent oxidation from happening leaving the cells unharmed.

Why should I continue reading this article when some of the terms in the first paragraph alone seem confusing? Chronic diseases such as cancer and hardening of the arteries can possibly be caused by cell damage due to Free Radicals. Did that catch your attention? I guess you better read on.

Now that I have your attention,  let me use some analogy to simplify the idea. Imagine that your house is your body and the kitchen garbage are Free Radicals. What will happen if you do not take the garbage out for a day? Yes, your kitchen will smell. Imagine the garbage piling up for a week or even a month without you disposing them. Gross isn’t it? Your whole house smells like garbage and this can affect your actions and mood. The stink from the inside will eventually spread until it becomes noticeable from outside the house. Antioxidants are garbage collectors that take the garbage out of your kitchen leaving your house (which is your body in reality) clean and smelling good.

Where can I get Antioxidants?

Of course, you always want your body to be safe from Free Radicals and you might now be asking as to where you can get Antioxidants. There are several sources of Antioxidants; some of them are listed below.

• Vitamin C (also known as Ascorbic Acid)
• Gluthathione
• Melatonin
• Vitamin E (also known as Tocopherol)

Wait a minute, did you mean that my daily supplement in pill or capsule form supplies Antioxidants? The answer to this question is yes, provided that Vitamin C and Vitamin E are present in your daily pill or capsule supplement. As for Gluthathione and Malatonin, there are some supplements claiming to contain them (some even sell the idea of looking young – as if you discovered the fountain of youth). I am not endorsing any product here neither do I recommend you to try them out. I am merely stating a fact that some vitamins and minerals contain Antioxidants.

The best way is still to consume Antioxidants naturally. You can do this by adding foods rich in Antioxidants in your daily diet. Here are the top 20.

1. Small Red Bean
2. Wild blueberry
3. Red kidney bean
4. Pinto bean
5. Blueberry
6. Cranberry
7. Artichoke
8. Blackberry
9. Dried Prune
10. Raspberry
11. Strawberry
12. Red apple
13. Granny Smith apple
14. Pecan
15. Sweet cherry
16. Black plum
17. Russet potato
18. Black bean
19. Plum
20. Gala apple

Pure cacao is filled with antioxidants.

Additional information that you should consider

Antioxidants protect you for a short period of time; it is important that you take these foods in a regular basis.

Like any other supplement, taking-in Antioxidants (whether food or supplements) should always be done in moderation. Always remember that too much of anything can be toxic.

Let’s enjoy food and try to live a healthier life. Have you done something good for you’re body lately? We love to hear from you.