The Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants play a crucial role in protecting and repairing the damage caused by high levels of free radicals in our body. Every day we are exposed to pollution of smoke, chemical, synthetic ,materials and pesticides that increases the level of free radicals in our body. High levels of free radicals contributes to heart disease, cancer, athritis , cataract and loads of other illnesses. Apart from this antioxidant is also a powerful anti aging agent that helps the body to be healthier and younger.

Therefore it is important to take steps for us to reduce the level of free radical in our body such as :

1. Stop smoking
2. Take more fruits and vegetables in our diet
3. Cut down on fast food, junk food and processed food
4. Take more vitamins and food supplements
   
5. Check the status of our health by going for medical check ups

Below is a list of sources of antioxidants we should include in our diet

• Allium sulphur compounds - leeks, onions and garlic.
• Anthocyanins - eggplant, grapes and berries.
• Beta-carotene - pumpkin, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley.
• Catechins - tea.
• Copper - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
• Cryptoxanthins - red capsicum, pumpkin and mangoes.
• Flavonoids - tea, green tea, citrus fruits, onion and apples.
• Indoles - cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower.
• Isoflavonoids - soybeans, tofu, lentils, peas and milk.
• Lignans - sesame seeds, bran, whole grains and vegetables.
• Lutein - leafy greens like spinach, and corn.
• Lycopene - tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon.
• Manganese - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
• Polyphenols - thyme and oregano.
• Selenium - seafood, offal, lean meat and whole grains.
• Vitamin C - oranges, blackcurrants, kiwi fruit, mangoes, broccoli, spinach, capsicum and strawberries.
• Vitamin E - vegetable oils (such as wheatgerm oil), avocados, nuts, seeds and whole grains.
• Zinc - seafood, lean meat, milk and nuts.
• Zoochemicals - red meat, offal and fish. Also derived from the plants animals eat.

So get healthy by eating more fruits and veggies that are loaded with antioxidants. Try drinking green tea which is high in antioxidant or be adventurous by trying out exotic combinations of fruit and vegetable juice.

Until then stay healthy, look great, feel happy . Have a nice day