Antioxidants are in the news every week. It seems like scientists are constantly discovering new antioxidants and new sources of antioxidants and even new properties of the antioxidants we already know about.
Even so, most people don't understand exactly what an antioxidant is or what it does. This page introduces antioxidants and explains their functions as well as why antioxidants are so important.
Antioxidants are nutrients or chemicals that react with and neutralize free radicals. Antioxidants are sometimes called "free radical scavengers."
Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that often contain oxygen. Free radicals are created during oxidation when molecules split into components, or smaller molecules, that have "free" electrons. These free electrons are highly reactive and can damage cells and DNA in the body on a molecular level.
By preventing or slowing down the process of oxidation, antioxidants help to protect the body from the damage that free radicals cause.
For one thing, antioxidants can help keep your body healthy longer. Antioxidants help to prevent some of the gradual wear and tear on the body caused by age and environmental stresses.
For another, antioxidants can help to prevent many diseases. Many doctors believe that getting adequate levels of antioxidants can help prevent macular degeneration, certain types of cancer, heart disease and other illnesses.
Antioxidants can even help to improve or relieve chronic conditions. Because they help prevent further damage to the body, sometimes antioxidants can even give your body the "breathing space" it needs to repair damage adready done.
All of the following are common and well-known antioxidants:
In the last couple of years a new super powerful antioxidant has emerged. The acai berry is said to have 50 times more antioxidant properties than a grape or red wine. The tremendous amount of health benefits that daily use of Acai Berry can produce are staggering. In fact, many people are calling the Acai Berry a super food and the fountain of youth. They claim the Acai can actually heal many common ailments and increase energy, the immune system, weight loss, diesease restistance and so much more. Oprah has even recently backed this amazing berry and has named Acai Oprahs number 1 power food.
Fresh, uncooked fruits and vegetables are by far the best sources of antioxidants. Generally speaking, the brighter the color of a fruit or vegetable, the more antioxidants it contains (at least, the more flavinoids and carotenes it contains). For instance, red and orange bell peppers are high in beta carotene, whereas green bell peppers are not.
Good sources of flavonoids include citrus fruits, berries, onions, parsley, legumes, green tea, red wine, and dark chocolate with a cocoa content of seventy percent or greater.
Remember -- fresh, unprocessed fruits and vegetables are the best sources of antioxidants and phytochemicals that are destroyed by cooking. They're even better a source than vitamin supplements. So eat your veggies.