Eat Your Antioxidants

April 18, 2009 · Print This Article

Finding Antioxidants Naturally – Eat Your Antioxidants

As we all strive to become more health conscious, many have espoused the use of antioxidants as an essential part of their daily diet.

Antioxidants are essential because they are needed by the body to neutralize free radicals and stop them from impairing cells. Free radicals are known to be chemical substances that can cause cell damage. If this happens, it can lead to aging and even disease.

People are continuously searching for the best sources of antioxidants. Many people take supplements, and there are tons of bottles of them sold in stores every day. But there is no need to do that, and there are no supplements that can offer natural antioxidants; they can only be obtained from the foods we consume. Antioxidants shield cells from unstable molecules known as free radicals. These radicals come from different sources like pollution and smoke from cigarettes.

There are several examples of antioxidants. These includes vitamins C, E, A, beta carotene, and lycopene.

Vegetables contain the most common antioxidant required by our bodies. There are quite a number of vegetables that are well known as natural sources of antioxidants. These include broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes, peppers, and others.

These are excellent choices that can benefit the body greatly. Vegetables with rich color are especially good to consume since they have phytonutrients. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are two of the best. There are also vegetables that are rich in beta carotene like carrots and sweet potatoes.

Of course, some fruits provide high levels of antioxidants as well. Examples include berries, kiwi, prunes, watermelons, pomegranates, and apricots. Aside from vegetables and fruits, antioxidants can also be found in tea, most notably black and green tea. Drinking at least a cup every day can be very beneficial for the body.

Consuming fruits and vegetables as part of one’s diet regimen holds an assurance that you are contributing to a healthy lifestyle and, at the same time, helping to rid the body of free radicals which can cause cell damage.

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