Antioxidants are a category of nutrients found in food that are acknowledged to avoid or slow the effects of oxidative injury in our bodies. Processes within our bodies that utilize oxygen cause oxidative damage. While oxygen is essential for life when our bodies cells utilize oxygen free radicals are created. Free radicals are a molecule that is lacking one or more electrons. Free radicals are highly volatile and can cause many problems within our bodies.
Antioxidants actually come in and bestow the absent electron to the free radical thus stabilizing it and preventing further damage. Antioxidants are opulent in many of the foods found in nature and including high antioxidant foods can help us to avert many of the tribulations of aging and prevent diseases such as heart and cardiovascular disease and cancers by enhancing our own immune system.
Berries are some of the supreme antioxidant foods in the world. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and grapes and cherries are all exceptionally high in antioxidants. Food is measured for antioxidant power by what is called the ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity scale. All of the berries have a very high ORAC level but the tangible food that has the highest ORAC level is the acai berry. There are a few things that rank above the acai berry on the ORAC scale such as ground cloves and ground cinnamon but none are in reality foods but instead spices and such. The acai berry surpasses every other tangible food.
Other fruits that are high on the ORAC scale take in citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes and most of the more tropical fruits like kiwi, mango and papaya. Apples, pears, plums, apricots and peaches are also exceptional sources of antioxidants.
Many of the familiar vegetables are very high in antioxidants. Spinach, Kale, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and other greens are excellent, along with the cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.
Pumpkins and most other orange foods are high in beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. Beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in our bodies. Beta-carotene is best provided by diet, as supplements of this nutrient have been known to bring about troubles, notably in smokers. Most of the orange foods, such as pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash supply a generous quantity.
By consuming a multicolored nutritional regime you will be sure to get an rich supply of antioxidants. Most of the bright and colorful foods found in nature are rich in antioxidants. Berries are deep purple and red. Pumpkins and carrots are bright orange. Spinach and broccoli are deep green. Tomatoes and watermelon are red. Color is a big indication to antioxidant facility.
Continuing inquiries into antioxidants is proving progressively more advantages for our fitness. Enhanced immune function can inhibit diseases like heart disease and cancers along with conditions that are frequent with age like macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease.
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