A Guide To The Importance Of An Antioxidant Diet For A Healthy Life

By Hitch Teneson


There is a lot of hype surrounding a group of compounds called antioxidants that are contained in food. They are said to do everything, ranging from being memory protectors to disease fighters as well as being an antidote to aging. Antioxidants happen to be natural ways of eliminating molecules in the body that are potentially dangerous. Such molecules appear in the form of synthetic chemicals like plastics, pesticides and chlorine byproducts. Here is a look at the importance of an antioxidant diet.

Antioxidants assist in fighting a normal chemical process known as oxidation that takes place every day in the body. It can be accelerated by stress, alcohol and cigarette smoking. In case a disruption in the natural process of oxidation occurs, molecules known as free radicals that are potentially damaging and highly unstable are created. The formation of such destructive little chemicals is triggered by oxygen, and is capable of causing damage to body cells if left uncontrolled.

Should the production of free radicals exceed the protective defenses of the body, oxidative stress can take place. When combined with cell damage resulting from free radicals, such oxidative stress can trigger the initial cancer and heart disease stages. They can also trigger the development of other diseases the likes of cataracts, kidney disease, Alzheimers disease and diabetes.

Human bodies have their own defense against similar damage. To combat the free radicals, they create antioxidants and also protect cells from oxygen attack. They can interact safely with the radicals, stopping the damaging chain before it spreads to the cells. These helpful antioxidants can be gotten from the diet consumed by a person.

Some minerals like manganese and selenium together with particular vitamins like Vitamins C and E are antioxidants. In addition, plant compounds such as carotene and lycopene also contain antioxidants. Numerous food types are notable antioxidant sources and can be added to a diet. Although the above mentioned compounds are contained in seafood and meats in minimal amounts, plant foods offer the main antioxidants source.

Antioxidant systems come in a wide variety. However, how they work within the human body as a team is something that scientists are yet to know. The bottom line is that one antioxidant cannot do the work of many others by itself.

Eating foods that represent all the colors found in a rainbow is a recommended way of getting antioxidants in a diet. Every one of the colors has its own effects of the molecules. Vegetables and fruits that are either bright orange or deep yellow, such as carrots and sweet potatoes have one antioxidant type while red ones like tomatoes have others. Cabbage, broccoli and other green vegetables have packages of antioxidants, together with purple or blue ones like eggplants and blueberries.

The importance of an antioxidant diet is all about lowering the risks of ailments such as cancer and heart disease. The best such diet is one that is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains.




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