Antioxidants In Food – what to include in your diet?
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Food is the main source for antioxidants. A key component in most
fruits and vegetables are a kind of nutrient that works with the
body to fend off free radicals, which are unstable molecules within
the body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron
and attempt to compensate by taking an electron from its neighbor.
These damaging agents are caused by poor diet as well as the environment.
Pollution and cigarette smoking are major contributors to the problem.
The antioxidants in foods like raisins, onions, oranges, spinach,
and a multitude of other foods work to counteract the damaging effects
of free radicals.
FREE RADICALS AND THEIR DAMAGE
Free radicals are an atom or group of atoms with an unbalanced
number of neurons. To fill the gap, they will attach themselves
to cells or to the cell membranes causing damage to the cell. This
is a daily occurrence and your body needs the vitamin C and... (read more)
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Antioxidants and free radicals
These free radical particles are thought to be responsible for
many kinds of cancer in both children and adults. Although there
may also be a genetic component, free radicals promote the growth
of cancer cells. Therefore, it follows that eliminating them from
your diet and counteracting what remains by maintaining a diet rich
in foods with antioxidants are positive steps toward the prevention
of cancer. Many scientific studies have confirmed the positive effect
of a healthy diet in the fight against cancer and other diseases.
Other food sources of antioxidants
Not everyone has a diet quite as healthy as it should be. Many
people don’t like fruits and vegetables and, as a result,
may miss out on the valuable antioxidants in foods such as these.
Distaste for these foods may start in childhood but follow them
through adolescence and into their adult years. Unlike in childhood,
however, adults are not forced to eat their vegetables and are free
to choose for themselves. They opt for menu choices that lack essential
nutrients instead. However, antioxidants in food like dark chocolate,
which is rich in flavonoids as well, may serve to partially bridge
the nutritional gap.
GREEN TEA ANTIOXIDANTS ARE UNIQUE
Green tea antioxidants are known to be very beneficial to the health
and it is gaining ground over coffee with companies such as Starbucks
even including tea on their menus. Antioxidants in green tea are
... (read more)
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Chocolate
might be good for you – it has antioxidants
Dark chocolate has been shown to have a positive effect on the
emotional as well as physical health of an individual when eaten
in moderation. If chocolate is not your thing, and you can’t
seem to get your daily dose of antioxidants in food, green tea offers
a possible alternative. In addition, green tea also contains EGCG,
which may aid in weight loss to a small degree. Since overweight
individuals are more prone to a host of medical ailments, anything
that can help progress toward a healthy weight is beneficial. An
overall healthy individual stands a better chance against of surviving
even if they do get cancer, because they will be strong enough to
withstand treatment.
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