What Are Antioxidants

Do you know what anti-oxidants are? Do you know the benefits antioxidants have inside and outside the body?

Did you know blueberries carry one of the highest anti-oxidant levels?

Anti-oxidants are usually found in beans, vegetables, fruits, and/or grain produce. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables are extremely high in anti-oxidant value.

Not only do anti-oxidants slow down the aging process of the skin, but they also benefit and slow down the aging of tissue's, organs, and cells. They reduce the probability of cancer and lower the risk of cholesterol and heart disease.

Anti-oxidants help benefit the body by boosting the immune's system resistance towards viruses, infections, and diseases. But one of the primary functions anti-oxidants bring to the body is their ability to eliminate free-radicals.

*Anti-Oxidants

Molecules capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/antioxidants.
Compounds that protect cells from damage.

*Free Radicals

Organic molecules responsible for aging, tissue damage, and diseases like heart disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, and cancer.

Unstable molecules lacking electrons looking to stabilize themselves and take electrons from other cells/molecules.

A natural process throughout the world surrounding us but may cause serious damage to our bodies.

Having an abundance of anti-oxidants will allow your body to hunt and fight off free-radicals and their dangerous potential.

There are plenty of foods that carry the anti-oxidants vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, caratenoids, selenium, lutein, lignin, and phyto-chemicals/flavonoids.

*Flavonoids

May have a role in cancer prevention and boosting a strong immune system. They help restore damaged blood vessels while decreasing the risk of cardio-vascular diseases.

They can be found mostly in vegetables, berries, fruits, teas, and red wines.

*Phyto-chemicals

Natural compounds found in plant foods that work with the nutrients and fiber in our body to protect against diseases.

Below are lists of foods that give a general idea of what to look for to gain the benefits of anti-oxidants.

Vitamin A

Carrots, Broccoli, Sweet Potatoes, Squash, Tomatoes, Kale, Collard Greens, Peaches, Cantaloupe, Apricots, Whole Eggs, Meats, and/or Liver
Brightly colored fruit and vegetables carry the most vitamin A.
Carotenoids

Kale, Oranges, Carrots, Mangos, Squash, Sweet Potatoes, Strawberries, and/or Spinach

Cartenoids can be found in just about any fruit or vegetable but they are widely known for giving certain fruits and veggies their yellow or orange pigmentation.

Vitamin C

Citrus Fruits, Oranges, Strawberries, Lemons, Green Leaf Vegetables, Green Peppers, Broccoli, and/or Tomatoes

Vitamin E

Nuts, Seeds, Whole Grains, Green Leafed Vegetables, Vegetable Oil, and Liver Oil

Selenium

Fish, Red Meat, Eggs, Shellfish, Chicken, Garlic, and Grains
Selenium is essential to having a healthy body but is only needed in small amounts.

Lignin

Flax Seed, Oatmeal, Rye, Barley, Root Vegetables, Edible Seeds, Beans, Dates, Chickpeas, and Artichokes

Lignin is a sort of fiber but is estrogen like chemicals being researched for its potential cancer-fighting properties.

Lutein

Kiwi, Broccoli, Kale, Brussels Sprout, and Spinach

This nutrient is usually contained in dark green vegetables but can be found in almost any fruit or vegetable.

Lutien is a compound in the eyes we are born with but our bodies cannot produce it on its own.

New studies are being performed on Lutien's ability to prevent macular degeneration which is an eye disease.

Flavonoids

Soy, Purple Grapes, Cranberries, Pomegranate, Green Tea, Red Wine, Licorice, or Cornus Fruit

The benefits of anti-oxidants and the list of anti-oxidants are endless, but conducting a detailed research on what particular foods carry the most abundance of anti-oxidants will help ensure a healthy immune system and body.

If you're looking to reduce the signs of aging or would just simply like a healthier body there is no better place to find the fountain of youth than your local grocer.