What Are Antioxidants?
Before anyone can understand why antioxidants are good for the body, it’s important to understand what they are. These are responsible for neutralizing harmful radicals in the body when food is broken down or when the body is exposed to harmful things in the environment – like smoke and pollution. Antioxidants are in a lot of the foods we eat, so it’s important to know how to provide the body with plenty so that it can continue protecting.
Benefits of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are very powerful. They can actually prevent cell destruction. Free radicals in the body are unstable and will work to take electrons from other molecules. When this happens, the body is more susceptible to disease. Antioxidants will actually donate the electrons to the free radicals so they don’t take away from the important molecules in the body.
The body produces antioxidant enzymes, which work with the antioxidants that we eat in food. When this happens, it strengthens the immune system and even acts in the anti-aging process – which is something that everyone is looking at. There are lots of foods that can be eaten to provide the body with higher levels of antioxidants – and spices are at the top of the list.
Eating the Right Foods
Every food that you eat has the ability to provide the body with nourishment in one way or another. While doctors will always say to eat fruits and vegetables, you want to be sure that you are eating the right ones to boost the antioxidants in your body and reduce the number of free radicals roaming around. For fruit, you want to eat berries, cherries, tomatoes, and peaches. For vegetables, you want to eat broccoli, corn, bell peppers, and spinach.
Garlic is also a great way to season the foods that you eat. It’s high in anti-oxidants and it is known for reducing both cholesterol and blood pressure. You may also want to look at something healthier to drink beyond water. Green tea has antioxidants and it has been known to prevent cancer and heart disease. You can drink it hot or cold, as long as you are actually drinking it.
Each time you eat a meal, you have to think about whether it is helping your body or not. Now that you know about antioxidants, you know how important they are. Free radicals are in your body all the time. Your goal is to neutralize them to avoid disease and other health problems. Simply by eating foods that are rich in antioxidants, you can achieve your health goals.
What Antioxidants Provide
Antioxidants can provide you with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Beta Carotene. Explore some of the foods that are high in these areas and you will be able to introduce an array of healthy foods into your diet – and say goodbye to free radicals.