Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in your body. They can protect against cell damage saving you from an abundance of health problems.
According to pubs.rsc.org "Antioxidants are molecules that inhibit or quench free radical reactions and delay or inhibit cellular damage. Though the antioxidant defenses are different from species to species, the presence of the antioxidant defense is universal. Antioxidants exists both in enzymatic and non-enzymatic forms in the intracellular and extracellular environment."
Activities and processes that can lead to stress include:
excessive exercise
tissue trauma, due to inflammation and injury
consumption of certain foods, especially refined and processed foods, trans fats, artificial sweeteners, and certain dyes and additives
smoking
environmental pollution
radiation
exposure to chemicals, such as pesticides and drugs, including chemotherapy
industrial solvents
ozone
Such activities and exposures can result in cell damage.
The damage caused can be linked to cancer, atherosclerosis, and loss of vision.
“Antioxidant” is not really the name of a substance, but rather it describes what a range of substances can do.
Examples of antioxidants that come from outside the body include:
Vitamin A: Dairy produce, eggs, and liver
Vitamin C: Most fruits and vegetables, especially berries, oranges, and bell peppers
Vitamin E: Nuts and seeds, sunflower and other vegetable oils, and green, leafy vegetables
Beta-carotene: Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, peas, spinach, and mangoes
Lycopene: Pink and red fruits and vegetables, including tomatoes and watermelon
Lutein: Green, leafy vegetables, corn, papaya, and oranges
Selenium: Rice, corn, wheat, and other whole grains, as well as nuts, eggs, cheese, and legumes
Other foods that are believed to be good sources of antioxidants include:
eggplants
legumes such as black beans or kidney beans
green and black teas
red grapes
dark chocolate
pomegranates
goji berries
Overall, research has not proven that taking any particular antioxidant as a supplement or through a food can protect against diseases.
There may be some benefit for people at risk of age-related macular degeneration, but it is essential to seek advice from a doctor about whether to use supplements, and which ones to use.
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