You hear about them all the time, but you are still wondering what are Antioxidants? They are a type of molecule in the body that help protect cells and tissues from damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. If you are looking to boost your health? Start with including more antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. Conclusion: There are many foods and supplements having antioxidants that can best promote your physical and mental health.
But before this, you must be aware: What are antioxidants, how do they benefit your health, and the best ways to consume them? So we are here to help you out; in this article, we will give you a complete guide about antioxidants. But, first, let’s dive into more details.
Introducing Antioxidants: What They Are And What They Do
The word ”antioxidant” comes from the Greek word “Anti,” which means ”against,” and “Oxidant” refers to a material that can induce oxidation or oxidization. Antioxidants are the body’s natural defenses.
Polyphenols, carotenoids, and a few vitamins and minerals are the most common antioxidants present in meals. Antioxidants can help to prevent or reduce cell damage caused by free radicals. Molecules with an unpaired electron are known as free radicals.
A chain reaction might occur when these chemicals interact with other molecules, causing cell harm. Free radicals may cause heart disease, cancer, and other disorders. Antioxidants protect against this damage by transferring one of their electrons to the free radical, thereby neutralizing it.
Vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium are all examples of antioxidants. Antioxidants create compounds with transition metals, preventing the metals from initiating the oxidation process.
According to the antioxidants’ mechanism, antioxidants break down peroxides into stable molecules that don’t generate radicals. Glutathione peroxidase deactivates free radicals and other oxidants, particularly hydrogen peroxide, is one of them.
- Light in photosensitizers like chlorophyll and pheophytin can make singlet oxygen from ordinary triplet oxygen.
- Antioxidants prevent autooxidation by reducing enzymatic activity. Flavonoids, phenolic acids, and gallates all inhibit lipoxygenase.
Also, read my article: Eve Pacific Organic: What are the Benefits of Bok Choy Juice.
Different Types Of Antioxidants
Antioxidants are estimated to exist in hundreds, if not thousands, of different forms. Each has a particular job to play and can collaborate with others to make practice more successful.
The phrase “antioxidant” does not refer to a single compound; instead, it relates to the actions of several different substances. Each antioxidant has a particular purpose and cannot be replaced by another. This is why eating a diverse diet is critical.
Examples of antioxidants
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Lycopene
- Lutein
- Beta-Carotene
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Zeaxanthin
- Polyphenols
Here is an informative video about antioxidants:
How Can Antioxidants Benefit Our Health?
What precisely are free radicals, and how can antioxidants assist combat them? The health advantages of antioxidants are pretty unique. To prevent cancer and illness and boost overall health, everyone should consume more antioxidants in their diet.
Free radicals are produced by cells, and an excess of free radicals in the body has oxidative stress (ROS). When the body’s ability to manage and remove free radicals is compromised, oxidative stress occurs, harming cells and physical function.
Causes Of Oxidative Stress
A variety of activities and processes can cause oxidative stress.
- Air pollution
- Cigarette smoke
- Toxins
- High blood sugar levels
- Excessive usage of polyunsaturated fatty acids
- Excessive sunbathing is a radiation source.
- Bacterial, Fungal, or viral infections
- Excessive intake of copper, iron, magnesium, and zinc
- Excessive and prolonged exercise produces tissue damage due to too much or too little oxygen in the body.
- Excessive intakes of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E
- Antioxidant deficiency
Antioxidants can protect cells from free radical damage and are known to aid in eliminating free radicals in our bodies, and are regarded to boost overall health.
Cancer, atherosclerosis, and vision loss have been linked to oxidative stress damage. Free radicals are considered to produce cell alterations that contribute to these and perhaps other illnesses. Antioxidant supplementation is thought to lower these risks. Therefore, it is essential to include a balanced diet of antioxidant-rich foods to enhance your natural antioxidant defenses.
Benefits
An overview of some of the health benefits of antioxidants follows:
- Reduced risk of cancer and disease
- Reduce oxidative stress
- Improved brain health
- Protection of eye health
- Improved mood and other mental health benefits
- Reduced signs of aging
- Healthier skin
- Fight free radicals
Also, read my Article: Eve Pacific Organic: What are the Benefits of Burdock Root.
What Are Examples Of Antioxidants?
Vitamins C and E and selenium and carotenoids like beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin are examples of antioxidants. The natural antioxidants that color fruits and vegetables are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-cryptoxanthin.
By far, the most well-known antioxidant family is polyphenols. Flavonoids, coumarins, anthocyanins, and lignans are only a few kinds found in plants.
Food Sources For Antioxidants
Various sources of antioxidants exist, including natural ones and synthetic ones.
Antioxidants are known to be rich in some plant-based diets. Many fruits and vegetables, as well as tea, coffee, and chocolate, contain them.
A diverse variety of colors in your food will provide you with the most comprehensive range of antioxidants. Therefore, increasing your intake of antioxidant-rich foods can help you enhance your overall health and well-being. “Superfoods” and “functional foods” are terms used to describe foods that are exceptionally high in antioxidants.
You can add these food items to your diet to get certain particular antioxidants:
| Antioxidants | Foods |
| Vitamin A | Dairy products, eggs, liver |
| Vitamin C | Fruits and vegetables, berries, bell peppers, and oranges. |
| Vitamin E | The oils and nuts from sunflowers, green, leafy vegetables, and sunflower seeds. |
| Lycopene | Pink and red vegetables and fruits, like tomatoes and watermelon |
| Beta-carotene | Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, peas, spinach, and mangoes |
| Selenium | nuts, eggs, cheese, legumes, Rice, corn, wheat, and other whole grains, |
| Lutein | Green, leafy vegetables, corn, papaya, and oranges |
Other significant sources of antioxidants are:
- Lentils
- Eggplants
- Green and black teas
- Blueberries
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Various legumes, such as black beans or kidney beans
- Red grapes
- Dark chocolate
- Pomegranates
- Goji berries
Best Ways To Increase Your Antioxidant Intake
Your antioxidant intake could be improved with the following tips:
- Have a cup of green or coffee every day.
- Eat the rainbow. Look at the colors on your plate. If your food is primarily brown or beige, the antioxidant levels are likely to be below. Add foods with rich colors, such as kale, beets, and berries.
- Include a fruit or a vegetable every time you eat, meals and snacks included.
- Add some flavor to your cooking. You can use turmeric, cumin, oregano, ginger, clove, and cinnamon to spice up your meals’ taste and antioxidant content by using herbs and spices instead of salt.
- Snack on nuts, seeds, especially Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds, and dried fruit, but choose those with no added sugar or salt.
- Afterward, get some green. A matcha latte, filled with antioxidant goodness, would be a good substitute for the 3 p.m. Americano.
- Be sure to add the beets. The benefits of roasting beets go far beyond what you might expect, and they are an excellent source of antioxidants. Salads, grain bowls, and smoothies are great ways to use beets.
- Beet chips make a perfect choice for an afternoon snack when feeling energetic.
Supplements
To get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet, you may consider taking a multivitamin with minerals. Antioxidant supplements provide 70–1,660 percent of the daily recommended amount of these essential elements.
Foods have many different fibers and nutrients, all of which work together. But unfortunately, supplements don’t have that same mix. However, you’ll likely be able to receive what you require from your diet. Ask your dietician if you want to make sure you’re on track.
Antioxidant supplements are potent antioxidants, compounds that help prevent free radicals from forming. Your body produces free radicals because of exercising and digesting food.
It’s commonly thought that taking antioxidant supplements prevents the damage caused by free radicals to the body’s cells, thereby promoting longevity and warding off disease. However, taking antioxidant supplements in high amounts can do just the opposite.
Antioxidant supplements can also interact with some medications. Therefore, it is essential to speak with a health provider before using these products. Overall, no evidence consuming a specific antioxidant as a supplement or meal may protect you against illness.
NIH, the National Institutes of Health, warns against taking large amounts of antioxidant supplements.
For example, high beta-carotene consumption has been related to a higher risk of lung cancer among smokers. Likewise, various antioxidant supplements have been associated with a higher risk of tumor growth. A high dose of vitamin E has been connected to an increased risk of prostate cancer.
The Bottom Line On Antioxidants
As above, I have explained all the necessary information regarding antioxidants. My final thought is that Antioxidants are a crucial part of proactive nutrition and may aid in preventing chronic illness and aging. In addition, they may be able to help you look and feel better for these reasons.
Antioxidants are suitable for your overall health and help fight oxidative stress brought on by those pesky free radicals. But, on the other hand, antioxidants aren’t a panacea, and they shouldn’t be used as a supplement to address a medical issue without consulting your doctor first.
Instead of getting antioxidants from supplements, eat a healthy diet; it is much better. Let me know if you want to know more about it.
