Antioxidants Facts
Want to know some cool antioxidants facts? There is solid evidence from several studies that the antioxidants we consume when eating Five to Seven servings a day from most fruit and vegetables can help us avoid or stall most ailments caused by ill-health.
This includes slowing the ageing process, keeping energy levels high and slowing/preventing certain types of cancers and heart disease – In fact, there isn’t a lot that antioxidants aren’t good for!
Antioxidants Facts 1 – What are antioxidants and why should I care?
So you ask, why should you care? Antioxidants are all natural chemicals that help you to counter detrimental oxygen — free radicals. Free radicals happen when you are exposed to things such as pollution, x-rays, exercise, stress and ultra-violet radiation. Oxygen free radicals or R.O.S (Reactive Oxygen Species) are the cause of several lethal diseases, such as, heart disease and some types of cancer.
Antioxidants can be seen as a preventive medicine. However, it is important to realize that there are many, many different antioxidants that do different things. They all give different benefits so it’s important to consume the full variety.
Antioxidants Facts 2 – Do you know the benefits of your antioxidants?
Where do we begin??
The different antioxidants help with a whole heap of positive things – The benefits include but are not limited to :-
- Increased energy levels
- Prevent ageing and skin cell damage
- Prevent Disease (such as heart disease, diabetes etc)
- Increase memory and mental alertness
- Optimizes your metabolism which will help with weight loss
Some recent research has shown that you are less prone to heart disease and cancer by consuming a serving of 5-7 antioxidants vegetables and fruit.
This is the daily recommended guideline in many countries but the guidelines usually fail to mention the variety of antioxidants (from foods or supplements) that are required to give complete protection from free radicals.
This is completely supported by extensive studies carried out by researchers around the globe. Studies also indicate that foods and supplements high in antioxidants can also prevent age related degenerative diseases. Helpful information for anyone that is growing old..and there are many of us that are!
Antioxidants facts 3 – Where should I look for antioxidants?
You have 2 options – Foods and supplements.
Many antioxidants can be consumed from foods such as fruits and vegetables. Most plants you devour will contain various antioxidants and vitamins such as A, C and E.
Antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables can prevent and guard against pollution, aging, the effects of radiation, cancers, and heart disease.
You can also try tea’s (especially green tea), which is rich in antioxidants called flavonoids.
However, the problem is that there are many antioxidants that come from many different foods. If you want full protection from free radicals you’ll need to ingest a variety of antioxidants.
Some antioxidant rich foods are so exotic that many of us will never gain access to these hard to reach foods! Ever heard of Mangosteen, Noni or Origanum Vulgare? Thought not! (Unless you live in one of the remote places where they originate)
This is where you can look into purchasing a reputable antioxidant supplement. If you make a purchase from a reputable company (and there are many that aren’t!), then most will give you the required amount and variety of antioxidants you need daily to see the wide range of benefits!
I hope these antioxidants facts were helpful and give you a better understanding of what antioxidants are as well as what is required for complete protection by these wonderful things.
I Recommend getting your antioxidants by eating a large variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables. However a lot of antioxidants are found in expensive super foods. I’d always recommend a good multi-vitamin and antioxidant formula if you’re into fitness as you’ll be using way more than the average Joe!
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