Antioxidant Research - Key Facts
The normal processes of oxidation in our bodies lead
to aging. The oxidation causes the production of substances called
free radicals which can readily react with and damage other
molecules in the body. Aging results when free radicals start
attacking the body’s own cells.
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There has been an increase in antioxidant
research after the discovery by scientists that there is a
significant link between degenerative diseases and the
presence of free radicals in the body.
The only substances that work distinctively against free
radicals; neutralizing them and in the process preventing or
repairing the damage they caused these radicals are
antioxidants. Antioxidants are therefore very essential for
our bodies.
Following extensive antioxidant researches, there have been
various recommendations in terms of what you can eat to slow
the process of aging. The most obvious advice is that one
must eat an apple a day in order to keep the doctor away.
Although antioxidants are not necessarily restricted to
apples, antioxidant research has found that apples are one
of the many rich sources of antioxidants found in fruits. |
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What are the antioxidant-rich foods?
There is nothing healthier than including fresh produce in your
diet. Fruits and vegetables are antioxidant foods, and these
antioxidant foods are potent fighters against free radicals.
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The best antioxidant food sources are fruits
and vegetables, such as beans and artichokes, among others.
This is according to the findings of the largest and most
advanced antioxidant research. According to this antioxidant
research, these foods are sources of disease-fighting
antioxidants.
Although blueberries have been considered in recent years to
have high antioxidant content, some current antioxidant
research advice that small red beans may contain more
disease-fighting antioxidants than both wild and cultivated
blueberries.
In addition to beans and blueberries, the antioxidant
research study also included a selection of nuts and spices
for their antioxidant capacity test. Nuts, spices, ground
cloves, cinnamon, and oregano were identified to be rich in
antioxidants. |
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It is therefore advised that you add some
spices in your food everyday to boost your antioxidant
levels in the body since it provides your body with the much
needed antioxidants.
What are the harmful effects of oxidation?
During the naturally occurring process of oxidation, some free
radicals by-products are created. These free radicals cause
aging. Oxidation is inevitable. It is a natural bodily process
which normally occurs every time we breathe. It is our body’s
way of metabolizing nutrients, breaking them down to provide
energy which we need in order to perform our daily activities.
Although oxidation is critical for our bodies, it has some
negative effects on our bodies.
Antioxidant research found that the harmful byproducts such as
free radicals are produced during the oxidation. These free
radicals are highly reactive and they act by seizing away
electrons from stable molecules, causing damage to cell
membranes, cell nucleus, and the cell DNA they contain. This
damage could lead to degenerative diseases like cancer, heart
disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s. So this brought about the
question about how these negative effects of oxidation can be
addressed.
According to antioxidant research, antioxidants play a
significant role in preventing the start of such diseases.
Antioxidants in fact assist in the hindrance and possibly even
treatment of life-threatening diseases like cancer simply by
neutralizing free radicals. As a result, aging is delayed and
diseases and other illnesses caused by harmful free radicals are
also evaded.
Antioxidant research has therefore brought forward key facts of
what foods we must eat to fight against the side effects of the
process of oxidation which naturally occurs in our bodies.
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