This subject along with many others are quite common. We will do our best to answer this and many other similar questions in this article which should ease your mind regarding this subject.
Our Picks For The Top Antioxidant Supplements
Each product featured here has been independently selected by the writer.
Things To Consider
Doctors recommend eating a balanced diet that include fresh fruits and vegetables. It also contains minerals, fiber, and other vitamins.
However, antioxidants alone do not prevent chronic conditions. Some people choose to take antioxidant supplements. However, many are not balanced.
You also respond to antioxidants in different ways. They can cause health risks or negative effects on your health. Talk to your doctor before taking high doses of antioxidants.
Questions to ask your doctor
What Other Antioxidants Can I Find In Food?
How Do I Know What Types Of Antioxidants Are Good For Me?
Should I Take Antioxidant Supplements If I’M A Smoker?
Should I Take Antioxidant Supplements If I Already Have Cancer?
Benefits
Antioxidants can protect against the cell damage that free radicals cause, known as oxidative stress. Activities and processes that can lead to oxidative stress include : mitochondrial activity
excessive exercise
tissue trauma, due to inflammation and injury
ischemia and reperfusion damage
consumption of certain foods, especially refined and processed foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and certain dyes and additives
smoking
environmental pollution
radiation
exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and drugs, including chemotherapy
industrial solvents
ozone Such activities and exposures can result in cell damage. An intake of antioxidants is believed to reduce these risks.
According to one study : “Antioxidants act as radical scavenger, hydrogen donor, electron donor, peroxide decomposer, singlet oxygen quencher, enzyme inhibitor, synergist, and metal-chelating agents.” Other research has indicated that antioxidant supplements may help reduce vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration in older people. In most cases, results have tended to show no benefit, or a detrimental effect, or they have been conflicting. Types There are thought to be hundreds and possibly thousands of substances that can act as antioxidants.
Each has its own role and can interact with others to help the body work effectively. “Antioxidant” is not really the name of a substance, but rather it describes what a range of substances can do. Examples of antioxidants that come from outside the body include: vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
beta-carotene
lycopene
lutein
selenium
manganese
zeaxanthin Flavonoids, flavones, catechins, polyphenols, and phytoestrogens are all types of antioxidants and phytonutrients, and they are all found in plant-based foods.
Each antioxidant serves a different function and is not interchangeable with another.
Food Sources
The best sources of antioxidants are plant-based foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Foods that are particularly high in antioxidants are often referred to as a “superfood” or “functional food.” To obtain some specific antioxidants, try to include the following in your diet: Vitamin A: Dairy produce, eggs, and liver Vitamin C: Most fruits and vegetables, especially berries, oranges, and bell peppers Vitamin E: Nuts and seeds, sunflower and other vegetable oils, and green, leafy vegetables Beta-carotene: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, peas, spinach, and mangoes Lycopene: Pink and red fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and watermelon Lutein: Green, leafy vegetables, corn, papaya, and oranges Selenium: Rice, corn, wheat, and other whole grains, as well as nuts, eggs, cheese, and legumes Other foods that are believed to be good sources of antioxidants include: eggplants
legumes such as black beans or kidney beans
green and black teas
red grapes
dark chocolate
pomegranates
goji berries Goji berries and many other food products that contain antioxidants are available to purchase online.
Foods with rich, vibrant colors often contain the most antioxidants. Click on each one to find out more about their health benefits and nutritional information: blueberries
apples
broccoli
spinach
lentils Effect of cooking Cooking particular foods can either increase or decrease antioxidant levels. Lycopene is the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their rich red color.
When tomatoes are heat-treated, the lycopene becomes more bio-available (easier for our bodies to process and use). However, studies have shown that cauliflower, peas, and zucchini lose much of their antioxidant activity in the cooking process. Risks It is worth remembering that, while studies link the consumption of fruits and vegetables with better overall health, it is not clear whether how far this is due to the activity of antioxidants.