Are you looking for a way to keep your body healthy? Although modern technology has made food gathering and preparation far more convenient, we are also seeing a rise in a number of diseases and conditions such as asthma and obesity. By carefully selecting foods, however, and adding antioxidants to your menu, you can successfully improve your overall level of health.

What is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants are molecules capable of preventing (or at least slowing) the oxidation of other molecules. Within our bodies, oxidative reactions are occurring constantly as cells create energy and release oxygen. The by-products of these reactions are known as free radicals which create chain reactions that are damaging to our cells. Antioxidants act as reducing agents by stopping these chain reactions from occurring and reducing the amount of free radicals present.

Although the body naturally produces antioxidants, there are not enough to take care of all of the free radicals in our bodies. In addition, the amount of free radicals your body produces is dependent upon your genetic makeup as well as your diet, environment, and lifestyle. As these free radicals are formed, they interact with other molecules within the cells in your body. This causes oxidative stress that ultimately damages your body’s membranes, proteins, and genes. Oxidative stress is associated with a number of different health problems and diseases. Some of these include:

• Alzheimer’s
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Heart Damage
• Macular Degeneration
• Signs of Aging
• Stroke

Exploring Your Antioxidant Food Options

Fortunately, enjoying the health benefits of antioxidants is not a particularly difficult task. By eating foods high in antioxidants, the body can reduce oxidative stress while also giving a boost to the immune system. Most likely, there are many antioxidants in the foods that you already consume on a regular basis. By paying closer attention to the foods you select and eat, however, you can significantly increase the amount of antioxidants in your diet.

When it comes to increasing your antioxidant intake, fruit is a good place to start. Some great antioxidant food options include citrus fruits such as:

• Grapefruits
• Lemons
• Limes
• Oranges

These citrus fruits are among the best antioxidant-rich options because they contain carotenoids, courmarins, flavonoids, limonoids, and terpenes. In order to get the full antioxidant benefit of these fruits, it is best to eat them rather than strictly drinking fruit juices.

Other fruits that provide antioxidant benefits include:

• Apricots
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Cantaloupe
• Peaches
• Raspberries
• Red Grapes
• Strawberries
• Watermelon

There are also plenty of vegetables that provide natural antioxidant effects. These include:

• Beans
• Broccoli
• Carrots
• Collards
• Green and Leafy Vegetables
• Green Peppers
• Kale
• Squash
• Tomatoes (in all forms, including juice, soup, canned, and ketchup)

Certain herbs can also serve as an antioxidant supplement. Black tea, oolong tea, and green tea, for example, all provide antioxidant benefits. Of the three teas, however, green tea offers the most antioxidant benefits. In fact, oolong only has about 40% the antioxidants of green tea.

Research has shown that eating a diet rich in antioxidants helps to fend off diseases such as stroke, heart disease, and cancer. In addition, antioxidants are often included in medications, particularly those used to treat brain injury. Currently, antioxidants are being explored for use in medicines to treat diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

With the help of antioxidants, you can prevent disease and possibly even treat it – who would have thought that eating fruit and vegetables every day could have such an amazing effect on your body?

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