fruits

Antioxidants Are Naturally in Food

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants can neutralize and stabilize the free radicals.

What are free radicals?

Scientists have found that the body forms unstable oxygen molecules, called free radicals; every cell produces tens of thousands of them each day. A free radical is an atom with an odd number of electrons in its outer ring. 

There are also many kinds of free radicals: pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides.

What antioxidants are naturally in food?

Vitamin E is an antioxidant vitamin involved in the metabolism of all cells. It protects vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation in the body cells and prevents body tissues’ breakdown. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin found in vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals. 

Some of the foods containing the highest amounts of vitamin E are wheat germ oil, almonds, sunflower seeds, sunflower oil, hazelnuts, peanuts, spinach, broccoli, kiwi, and mango.

Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin present in citrus fruits and juices, cabbage, green peppers, broccoli, spinach, tomato, kale, guava, cantaloupe, kiwi, papaya, and strawberries. It is essential in forming collagen, a protein that gives structure to bones, cartilage, muscle, and blood vessels. Vitamin C also aids in the absorption of iron and helps maintain capillaries, bones, and teeth.

Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A. It is present in the liver, egg yolk, milk, butter, spinach, carrots, squash, broccoli, yams, tomato, cantaloupe, peaches, and grains.

Studies show that it is effective for heart disease, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, Alzheimer’s disease, fibromyalgia, male infertility, and psoriasis.

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) boosts energy, enhances the immune system, and acts as an antioxidant. A growing body of research suggests that coenzyme Q10 may help prevent or treat some of the following conditions: heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, etc. Primary dietary sources of CoQ10 include oily fish, organ meats such as liver, spinach, broccoli, peanuts, wheat germ, and whole grains.

Selenium: Selenium is a trace mineral essential to good health but required only in small amounts. It helps synthesize antibodies, helps synthesize coenzyme Q10and helps transport ions across cell membranes. The best selenium sources are Brazil nuts, wheat germ, molasses, sunflower seeds, whole-wheat bread, and dairy foods.

The best way to take antioxidants is naturally, through fresh, vibrant food.

Less is more. You may need some of these antioxidants in small amounts.

Pure body detox