Antioxidants For Your Health

Doctors, health experts, nutritionists, and fitness gurus may have different health tips and techniques but many of them agree that when it comes to health, nothing can beat antioxidants. Now you may be wondering what antioxidants are. To simplify matters, antioxidants are substances or nutrients that can slow down or prevent the damaging effects of oxidation. Oxidation is the process wherein your cells consume oxygen and produce harmful free radicals as by-products. Without antioxidants, your cells will deteriorate faster, speeding up the health-damaging effects of the aging process and diseases.

Aside from diseases and the aging process, your body can accumulate free radicals through vices such as smoking and drinking. If you wish to maximize your body's absorption of antioxidants, it's best to lessen your smoking and drinking habits.

Vitamins As Antioxidants

The most popular types of antioxidants are actually vitamins. These vitamins/antioxidants include vitamin A or carotenoids, vitamin C and E, and selenium. If you wish to increase your intake of vitamin A, munch on these delicious veggies and fruits during snack time – carrots, broccoli, apricots, cantaloupe, squash, sweet potatoes, kale, tomatoes, and peaches. As for vitamin C, heed your mom's advice about eating the green stuff on the plate. Green leafy veggies are really good for you because they are rich in antioxidants. Vegetable oil, liver oil, whole grains, seeds, nuts, and green leafy veggies are rich in vitamin E, making these food items popular sources of antioxidants. A diet rich in antioxidants would not be complete without chicken, red meat, grains, and shellfish since these are rich in selenium. When looking for foods that are rich in antioxidants, opt for fruits and veggies that have bright colors since colors can help you figure out the type of antioxidants these foods contain.

Aside from vitamins, antioxidants can also include natural substances such as flavonoids or polyphenols, lycopene, lutein, and lignan. All of these substances can help reduce the amount of free radicals inside your body, making you stronger against diseases.

Coffee As A Good Source of Antioxidants

Aside from the energy boost, a cup of coffee in the morning may actually provide you with the needed amount of antioxidants. This is because coffee beans are not only naturally rich in caffeine; they contain antioxidants as well. However, before you increase your daily dosage of java, make sure that you are aware of the possible consequences of too much caffeine.

Natural Antioxidants

Your body has its own form of defense against free radicals produced by cells during the oxidation process. These natural antioxidants include catalase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase.

Supplements Rich In Antioxidants

Because antioxidants may slow down the body's aging process, many health companies have produced supplements that are filled with antioxidants. Some of these supplements include coenzyme Q10 and glutathione. These supplements are usually in pill form and can be taken orally to help destroy free radicals. However, your diet shouldn't solely rely on supplements since it's best to absorb antioxidants from a direct source which is through the food you eat.