The Wonderful Benefits of Antioxidants

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I am sure many of you have heard the word antioxidant but do you know what it is and why it is important for your health? Well if so, great! If not, I am about to tell you.
  
Antioxidants are naturally found in food but can also be man-made. They are amazing because they help delay or prevent some types of cell damage by neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are harmful to the body and can cause inflammation and damage to the cells. This could eventually lead to chronic diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. YIKES! Free radicals are found in air pollution, cigarette smoke, and sun light and are formed naturally when you exercise and when your body converts food to energy. Therefore, a great time to consume antioxidants is post-workout!

Now that you understand the importance of antioxidants….hopefully. I am going to tell you how to make sure they are present in your diet! Some examples of antioxidants are vitamin C, Vitamin E, carotenoids, selenium, beta-carotene, catechins, lycopene, lutein, isoflavoids, and zeaxanthin. Below are foods that contain these!

·     Vitamin C- broccoli and oranges
·     Vitamin E- vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds
·     Selenium- seafood
·     Beta-carotene- pumpkin, mango, carrot, and apricot
·     Catechins- red wine and tea
·     Lycopene- grapefruit, tomato, and watermelon
·     Lutein- green vegetables such as spinach
·     Isoflavonoids- Lentils, tofu and soybean

A diet high in fruits, vegetables and healthy fats will ensure you are getting in your antioxidants! 5 servings of fruits and vegetables are recommended per day. So cook them, chop them or blend them up and enjoy!

JM

https://nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants/introduction.htm
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/antioxidants

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