There is a lot of hype surrounding a group of compounds called antioxidants that are contained in food. They are said to do everything, ranging from being memory protectors to disease fighters as well as being an antidote to aging. Antioxidants happen to be natural ways of eliminating molecules in the body that are potentially dangerous. Such molecules appear in the form of synthetic chemicals like plastics, pesticides and chlorine byproducts. Here is a look at the importance of an antioxidant diet.
Antioxidants assist in fighting a normal chemical process known as oxidation that takes place every day in the body. It can be accelerated by stress, alcohol and cigarette smoking. In case a disruption in the natural process of oxidation occurs, molecules known as free radicals that are potentially damaging and highly unstable are created. The formation of such destructive little chemicals is triggered by oxygen, and is capable of causing damage to body cells if left uncontrolled.
Should the production of free radicals exceed the protective defenses of the body, oxidative stress can take place. When combined with cell damage resulting from free radicals, such oxidative stress can trigger the initial cancer and heart disease stages. They can also trigger the development of other diseases the likes of cataracts, kidney disease, Alzheimers disease and diabetes.
The human body has its own defenses against such damage. It creates antioxidants for combating the free radicals as well as protecting the cells from being attacked by oxygen. They can safely interact with the radicals and halt the chain of damaging prior to the damage happening to the cells. These helpful molecules can be gained from the diet that a person consumes.
Some vitamins such as vitamins E and C are antioxidants, together with minerals like manganese and selenium. There are plant compounds like lycopene and carotene that also act as antioxidants. Many foods that can be included in a diet are good antioxidant sources. The main thing to bear in mind is that they are primarily found in plant foods. Manganese and selenium are found in seafood and meats in small quantities, but plant foods are the primary food antioxidant source.
There is a wide variety of antioxidants systems, but it has not yet been figured out how the different systems in human bodies work together to offer protection against free-radical damage. No single antioxidant is capable of providing the protection offered by the numerous antioxidants working together.
The best way of getting a variety of antioxidants in a diet is by consuming foods that represent all the rainbow colors. Every color provides its own one of a kind antioxidant effects. Deep yellow, bright orange vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, carrots and apricots provide one kind of antioxidants, while red foods such as tomatoes provider the other. Green vegetables like cabbage and broccoli together with purple or blue foods like eggplant and blueberries each contain antioxidants packages.
The importance of an antioxidant diet is all about lowering the risks of ailments such as cancer and heart disease. The best such diet is one that is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
Antioxidants assist in fighting a normal chemical process known as oxidation that takes place every day in the body. It can be accelerated by stress, alcohol and cigarette smoking. In case a disruption in the natural process of oxidation occurs, molecules known as free radicals that are potentially damaging and highly unstable are created. The formation of such destructive little chemicals is triggered by oxygen, and is capable of causing damage to body cells if left uncontrolled.
Should the production of free radicals exceed the protective defenses of the body, oxidative stress can take place. When combined with cell damage resulting from free radicals, such oxidative stress can trigger the initial cancer and heart disease stages. They can also trigger the development of other diseases the likes of cataracts, kidney disease, Alzheimers disease and diabetes.
The human body has its own defenses against such damage. It creates antioxidants for combating the free radicals as well as protecting the cells from being attacked by oxygen. They can safely interact with the radicals and halt the chain of damaging prior to the damage happening to the cells. These helpful molecules can be gained from the diet that a person consumes.
Some vitamins such as vitamins E and C are antioxidants, together with minerals like manganese and selenium. There are plant compounds like lycopene and carotene that also act as antioxidants. Many foods that can be included in a diet are good antioxidant sources. The main thing to bear in mind is that they are primarily found in plant foods. Manganese and selenium are found in seafood and meats in small quantities, but plant foods are the primary food antioxidant source.
There is a wide variety of antioxidants systems, but it has not yet been figured out how the different systems in human bodies work together to offer protection against free-radical damage. No single antioxidant is capable of providing the protection offered by the numerous antioxidants working together.
The best way of getting a variety of antioxidants in a diet is by consuming foods that represent all the rainbow colors. Every color provides its own one of a kind antioxidant effects. Deep yellow, bright orange vegetables and fruits such as sweet potatoes, carrots and apricots provide one kind of antioxidants, while red foods such as tomatoes provider the other. Green vegetables like cabbage and broccoli together with purple or blue foods like eggplant and blueberries each contain antioxidants packages.
The importance of an antioxidant diet is all about lowering the risks of ailments such as cancer and heart disease. The best such diet is one that is rich in vegetables, fruits and whole grains.
About the Author:
If you want answers to the question what are antioxidants, go to the website here for info. You can see descriptions and suggestions at http://www.health-food-reviews.com/ right now.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire