What Are Antioxidants And Why Should Your Family Include Them In Their Diet

The old adage “knowledge is power” seems to be hitting home not only for higher educators, but to anyone who has ears, eyes, and a thinking cap. The ever-growing capacity of powerful nutritional awareness and application of antioxidants is skyrocketing—finally.

What are Antioxidants?

We often are paired with this big word, “antioxidants”, in various conversations, commercials, and products. But what are antioxidants? When the body oxidizes, problems of internal and external deterioration are at hand. The body needs extra help to keep the body fresh inside and out to keep it running smoothly. Antioxidants stop this oxidation or deterioration which demean the body’s integrity.

There is a term referred as “redox signaling.” This is a fancy way of saying our bodies are reacting to its own deterioration, reduction, oxidation, and electron loss or gain. That means certain processes within the body occur using biological messengers, such as free radicals, as destructive messengers or molecules that show the body is in distress.

What Names Do Antioxidants Go By?

Ingesting strong antioxidants from foods is the easiest way to get a body that will reduce those pesky molecules that are harmful. Seeking out products and produce that contain as many antioxidants as possible is the goal. Vitamin C and vitamin E are but two strong antioxidants that knock the socks off of potentially harmful oxidizing agents. Other antioxidant names to focus on are Vitamin A, selenium, beta-carotene, flavonoids, coenzyme Q10 and polyphenols, to name a few.

What Foods Have Antioxidants?

The antioxidants in foods work much the same way within the food product itself as they do in our bodies. Antioxidants protect the food source from its own environmental and molecular harm, which in turn protects and strengthens our bodies when ingested.

Good starting points: colorful foods and organic produce.

Take a gander at this small yet impressive list of potent antioxidant foods to tickle a body’s fancy in big ways:

PRODUCE

• Berries

• Celery

• Sweet Potatoes

• Grapes

• Broccoli

• Artichokes

• Carrots

• Kale

• Pomegranate

• Cilantro

• Garlic

• Tomatoes

NUTS/SEEDS/OILS

• Pecans

• Pumpkins seeds

• Salmon

• Avocado

• Coconut Oil

HERBS/SPICES

• Cinnamon

• Turmeric

• Thyme

• Ginger

• Basil

• Oregano

• Clove

• Herbal Teas

Daily antioxidants are protective nutrients that every family needs. These nutritional powerhouses literally change lives. By incorporating as many antioxidants as possible on a daily basis, cancers disappear. Inflammation melts away. Colds are reduced. Viruses are fought off. Aches and pains are fewer. Brain power excels. Hearts pump stronger. The benefits are endless!

References:

Dr. Axe

ASEA Redox Health Revolution

Nutrex Hawaii