When it comes to boosting antioxidant intake, recent research indicates there’s little benefit from taking diet supplements. A better way, according to a report in the September issue of Mayo Clinic Health Letter, is eating a diet rich in antioxidant-containing foods.For related information on anti-oxidants, visit:
Antioxidants are substances that reduce, neutralize and prevent the damage done to your body by free radicals. Free radicals are electrons that do not attach to atoms. Free radicals are formed by process of oxidation and this process occurs due to normal metabolic process and exposure to everyday environment.
Breathing, eating and exposure to sun contribute to process of oxidation and free radical formation and the damage is caused to the cells of your bodies. The damage can be of any type like bone loss, weakening of joints and connective tissues, immune system decline and visible effects of aging.
The free radicals can also cause damage to the brain’s nerve cells, which can cause Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease, joint inflammation leading to arthritis and increased risk to heart disease.
Antioxidants are found in certain foods that neutralize free radicals. These anti-oxidant supplements include vitamins A, C, E and minerals zinc, selenium and copper. If your diet is high in anti-oxidants, there will be reduction in many diseases which includes cancers and certain heart diseases.
Sources of anti-oxidants:
Beta carotene is present in apricots, mangoes, spinach, pumpkin, and carrots. Flavonoids are present in citrus fruits, green tea, apples, and onions. Isoflavonoids are found in tofu, milk, soybeans, lentils and peas.
Lycopene is found in watermelon, pink grapes and tomatoes. Selenium is found in whole grains, seafood, and lean meat. Vitamin C is found in kiwi fruit, broccoli, oranges, capsicum, strawberries and mangoes. Alpha lipoic acid is found in spinach and broccoli.
Antioxidant vitamin E is found in nuts, whole grains, seeds, avocados, and vegetable oils. Zinc is found in milk, nuts, lean meat and seafood. Lutein is found in corn and leafy green vegetables like spinach. Folic acid is found in peas, sunflower seeds, leaf vegetables, and fortified cereal.
Benefits of antioxidants:
- Vitamin C boosts your immune system and promotes cardiovascular health.
- Lutein promotes your eye health in long term by giving protection from sun. it also protects from premature aging.
- Zinc boosts your immune system.
- Green tea helps in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and promotes longevity. It protects from tooth decay and cures gum infections.
- Lycopene is effective in fighting prostate cancer.
- Grape seed extract fights with heart disease and skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema. It also slows the macular degeneration progression and cataracts. It also relieves from allergy symptoms and eases your eye strain.
- Folic acid is useful in the production of new cells, especially during pregnancy. Folic acid can prevent anemia and even cancer.
- Alpha lipoic acid helps to dissolve toxic substances in the liver
