Antioxidants play a crucial role in keeping us healthy and protecting us from free radicals. But what do they do? and where do they come from? In this article, we will understand what antioxidants are, their role in our body, their health benefits, and where you can consume them.
What Are Antioxidants?
They are a group of compounds that play a crucial role in protecting our body from free radicals. These free radicals are molecules that can harm our bodies and health if not controlled. Antioxidants are naturally produced by our bodies or can be derived from the consumption of plant-based foods.
Its Role in Our Body
There are a lot of chemical processes in our body which can give birth to free radicals. A controlled amount of these free radicals can not affect health. However, a huge accumulation of it can cause serious health problems like cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Thus, they are responsible for controlling the free radicals and preventing their build-up.
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Health Benefits Of Antioxidants
As antioxidants are capable of controlling free radicals, they may reduce the chance of any severe disease.
- Taking them on a regular basis can help lower your chance of developing chronic illness. They can preserve general health and protect your cells from damage.
- Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is one of the most common causes of permanent vision loss. It generally happens over the age of 50 when the macula deep behind the eye starts wearing out. However, having enough antioxidants in your body can lower the chance of AMD with age.
- Antioxidant play a role in protecting brain cells from oxidative damage and may help reduce the risk of neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
- Antioxidants, such as vitamin E and vitamin C, help protect the skin from UV damage, reduce signs of aging, and promote healthy, glowing skin.
- Some antioxidants like selenium and vitamin C can help reduce the risk of cancer. They may help protect DNA damage and prevent the growth of cancer cells.
Types Of Antioxidants
- Vitamin C: Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, strawberries, and bell peppers. It supports the immune system and plays a crucial role in skin health.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is abundant in nuts, seeds, and vegetable oils; it helps protect cell membranes and is essential for the skin.
- Zinc: Present in nuts, whole grains, and seafood, is vital for the body’s antioxidant enzymes.
- Selenium: This can be found in beans, whole grains, chicken, and beef, which protects the body from oxidative damage and boosts the immune system.
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Incorporate Antioxidant Food In Your Diet?
- Green Vegetables, such as spinach, carrots, and potatoes, can be a great source of antioxidants. You can choose them to include in your regular meals and have a healthy diet.
- Berries are excellent to include in your food as they are high in antioxidants. You can opt for many raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries and include them in your breakfast cereals.
- Dark Chocolate with at least 70% cocoa is packed with antioxidants. Thus, it will be a delightful way to incorporate it into your diet.
- Add spices and herbs to your food, as they are high in antioxidants.
Maintain Antioxidants Levels and Stay Healthy
The lower amount of antioxidants can give rise to build-ups of free radicals that can lead to serious health problems such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, etc. Thus, it is important to maintain the level of antioxidants in your body. Therefore, ensure to have a proper diet with foods that are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients.