If you’re reading this you must be wondering about the new buzz word on antioxidants and what they can do for you. You’re not alone. Many people are interested in learning what exactly antioxidants are. Some people want to know how many there are and others want to know what foods contain them.
Antioxidants are nutrients that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are unstable compounds which are being created due to normal function and the process of everyday oxidation. These free radicals can cause cell damage and develop as a byproduct of living. Antioxidants are formed in the body by the process of oxidation and contain nitrogen. Nitrogen is part of the carboxylic acid molecules that make up a normal healthy cell. Of course, antioxidants also contain carbon.
The benefits of antioxidants are enormous. Millions of cells in the body die each day. These cells need to be replaced by new cells all the time. Without antioxidants in the body, the cells become weak and die. New born cells can die in a matter of days without adequate nutrition. Many diseases are caused by antioxidants and can be prevented by eating foods high in antioxidants.
The majority of people do not get enough antioxidants from their diets. Some common antioxidants are Tocopherol, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. The best way to increase your intake of antioxidants is to eat a variety of antioxidant rich foods. There is no excuse for anyone to say they don’t like fruits and vegetables. Fruits and vegetables are full of antioxidants. Many common fruits and vegetables also contain Vitamin C, Vitamin E and zinc. If you are not sure which fruits and vegetables have the most antioxidants, you can increase your intake by choosing the ones with the strongest antioxidants found in the products.
Fruits and vegetables grown in major producing regions have higher concentrations of antioxidants. As an example, blueberries and Imported Oranges have the highest antioxidant count per serving compared to other fruits and vegetables. The key to increased antioxidant intake is to vary the foods you eat. Everyone should include fruits and vegetables in their diet everyday. By increasing your intake of antioxidants you can prevent many common diseases and many serious health conditions.
The highest antioxidant content in foods can also be found in wine. White wine also contains antioxidants. For those who do not consume alcohol, it is recommended that you drink wine; however, for most people this is not realistic. Still, antioxidants can be found in many foods besides alcohol. It is recommended that you include foods high in antioxidants with your diet. You can also get additional information about antioxidant rich foods from the internet.
Now that you know the best foods to eat to increase your intake of antioxidants, it is time to share with you the worst foods that contain antioxidants. Some of the worst foods include red meat, jam, maple syrup, eggs, pizza, soda, ice cream, beef, yogurt, cereal, and eggs. If you are trying to increase your intake of antioxidants, you should also stay away from these foods.
There is no one antioxidant over the other. In addition, there are many different forms of antioxidants. There are many different types of antioxidants that work together to stop the oxidation process that leads to the damage of cells in the body. People with high blood levels of antioxidants are usually very aware of their bodies. If you consume a diet that is rich in antioxidants you will have a very positive affect on your body and increase the quality of your life.
I hope this short article was able to provide you with some helpful information on foods high in antioxidants. You should definitely stay away from any foods that contain high amounts of carbohydrates. By increasing your consumption of antioxidants you will help reduce the amount of free radicals in your body and help your body to preventing many common ailments as well.
If you like blueberries, peanuts, corn or other dried fruit you will also find that there are high antioxidant contents in these foods. To increase your intake of antioxidants you can try eating more of these foods and/or taking a high strength antioxidant vitamin compound.
