Are you tired of getting sick? Antioxidants could be the answer…
Antioxidants have been around since the beginning of time. We often hear about them on commercials, or talk shows. Most people don’t realize that the food that we eat or don’t eat will make the difference in our overall health. The benefits of antioxidants can be found in plant based diets, fruits and vegetables, nuts, and antioxidant vitamins. Many antioxidant rich foods are called super foods. This article is a great way to understand what foods will arm your body with the defenses that it needs to fight off sickness and infection. We will dive into the health benefits of the top 10 antioxidant rich foods. You should definitely add these to your diet.
| Keywords: | Description: |
| antioxidants | A substance that reduces damage due to oxygen, such as that caused by free radicals. Well-known antioxidants include enzymes and other substances, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene, which are capable of counteracting the damaging effects of oxidation. Antioxidants are also commonly added to food products such as vegetable oils and prepared foods to prevent or delay their deterioration from the action of air. Antioxidants may possibly reduce the risks of cancer. Antioxidants clearly slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. |
| oxidative stress | reflects an imbalance between the systemic manifestation of reactive oxygen species and a biological system’s ability to readily detoxify the reactive intermediates or to repair the resulting damage. Disturbances in the normal redox state of cells can cause toxic effects through the production of peroxides and free radicals that damage all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA. |
| free radical formation | Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd (unpaired) number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction, like dominoes. Their chief danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. To prevent free radical damage the body has a defense system of antioxidants. |
| oxygen radical absorbance capacity | ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It’s a lab test that attempts to quantify the “total antioxidant capacity” (TAC) of a food by placing a sample of the food in a test tube, along with certain molecules that generate free radical activity and certain other molecules that are vulnerable to oxidation . After a while, they measure how well the sample protected the vulnerable molecules from oxidation by the free radicals. The less free radical damage there is, the higher the antioxidant capacity of the test substance. There are actually a handful of different tests designed to measure total antioxidant capacity in this way, but the ORAC is probably the best known and most popular
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| inflammation | Inflammation and Antioxidants, |
Apple Cider Vinegar
- lowers cholesterol
- boost energy
- reduces cramping and lactic acid
- helps bad breath
- controls blood sugar
- supports heart health
- whitens teeth
Garlic
- boost immune system function/fights infection
- aids in cancer prevention
- fights inflammation
- promotes total body detoxification
Ginger
- acts as an antidote for nausea
- reduces inflammation – arthritis – headaches
- stimulates circulation
- inhibits rhinovirus – a cause of the common cold
- fights salmonella
- reduces gas and intestinal pain
Horseradish Root
- fights cancer
- detoxifies the liver
- relieves sinus pressure
- treats urinary tract infections
- reduces bloating
- aids in muscle soreness
Onion
- decrease risk of obesity, diabetes, and heart disease
- promotes healthy hair and complexion
- great source of vitamin C
- reduce risk of colorectal and other intestinal cancers
- improve mood and help with depression
Habanero Peppers
- reduce risk of diabetes and obesity
- great cancer fighter
- reduces cholesterol and heart disease
- lowers inflammation
Oregano Oil
- treats foot or nail fungus
- kills parasites or infection
- minimizes sinus infection and cold symptoms
- great for cleaning when mixed with lemon and vinegar
Tumeric
- helps with chronic inflammation
- reduces symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis
- improves mood and aids in depression
- lowers blood glucose levels
- inhibits cancer cell growth
- has anti-aging properties
Echinacea (herb)
- reduces acid reflux
- decreases migrane symptoms
- aid in genital herpes outbreaks
- helps cure strep throat
- reduces urinary tract infections
- cures yeast infections
Raw Honey
- cancer fighting properties
- aids in nausea and upset stomach
- natural cough suppressant
- assists in blood sugar regulation
- heals ulcers
- good cholesterol regulator
It is not hard to see the benefits of these powerful antioxidants. If you work them into your diet your will surely see and feel the difference. In addition to these awesome foods, a green drink will work wonders for your overall health and well being. If you enjoyed this article, then I assume that you like to know what is in your food and why it is good for you. This book is the best book I have ever found for understanding the ‘whys’ about food. If you have any questions about fitness or nutrition, email Jodi at jodi@healthywithjodi.com .