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 help in stalling oxidation, a normal body chemical process that occurs every day. Alcohol, tobacco smoking and stress can accelerate the process. Should a disruption in the normal oxidation process occur, highly unstable and potentially damaging molecules called free radicals are formed. Oxygen triggers this formation of such destructive chemicals, leading to body cell damage if left unchecked.
When the production of free radicals exceeds the protective defenses found in the body, oxidative stress occurs. This stress together with damage to cells caused by free radicals may initiate the initial stages of heart disease and cancer. The development of arthritis, Alzheimers disease, diabetes, cataracts, age-related blindness and kidney disease is also linked to free radicals.
For protection against such damage, the human body has defenses. It generates antioxidants for eliminating the free radicals and to protect cells from oxygen attack. Safe interaction with the radicals results in the chain of damage being slowed down before it can move on to the cells. To gain such helpful molecules, all one has to do is include them in a diet.
Some vitamins such as vitamins E and C are antioxidants, together with minerals like manganese and selenium. There are plant compounds like lycopene and carotene that also act as antioxidants. Many foods that can be included in a diet are good antioxidant sources. The main thing to bear in mind is that they are primarily found in plant foods. Manganese and selenium are found in seafood and meats in small quantities, but plant foods are the primary food antioxidant 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.
Decreasing the risks of various diseases like the heart disease and cancer forms a basis of the importance of an antioxidant diet. The ideal such diets are inclusive of whole grains, vegetables and fruits. By coming up with a diet that is rich in all the above mentioned food, a person can be assured of protection from some diseases together with a lesser chance of contracting others.
Antioxidants help in stalling oxidation, a normal body chemical process that occurs every day. Alcohol, tobacco smoking and stress can accelerate the process. Should a disruption in the normal oxidation process occur, highly unstable and potentially damaging molecules called free radicals are formed. Oxygen triggers this formation of such destructive chemicals, leading to body cell damage if left unchecked.
When the production of free radicals exceeds the protective defenses found in the body, oxidative stress occurs. This stress together with damage to cells caused by free radicals may initiate the initial stages of heart disease and cancer. The development of arthritis, Alzheimers disease, diabetes, cataracts, age-related blindness and kidney disease is also linked to free radicals.
For protection against such damage, the human body has defenses. It generates antioxidants for eliminating the free radicals and to protect cells from oxygen attack. Safe interaction with the radicals results in the chain of damage being slowed down before it can move on to the cells. To gain such helpful molecules, all one has to do is include them in a diet.
Some vitamins such as vitamins E and C are antioxidants, together with minerals like manganese and selenium. There are plant compounds like lycopene and carotene that also act as antioxidants. Many foods that can be included in a diet are good antioxidant sources. The main thing to bear in mind is that they are primarily found in plant foods. Manganese and selenium are found in seafood and meats in small quantities, but plant foods are the primary food antioxidant 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.
Decreasing the risks of various diseases like the heart disease and cancer forms a basis of the importance of an antioxidant diet. The ideal such diets are inclusive of whole grains, vegetables and fruits. By coming up with a diet that is rich in all the above mentioned food, a person can be assured of protection from some diseases together with a lesser chance of contracting others.
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