Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that guard your body against the harm that unstable molecules known as free radicals can cause. When atoms in your body gain or lose charge particles called electrons, free radicals are created.  Not all free radicals are harmful. They are crucial for a variety of biological activities, including cell division. They aid in the communication between cells and the immune system of your body.

However, if there are too many free radicals in the body, they can seriously harm cells. Diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, and heart disease may all be made worse by this. Many fruits, vegetables, and other foods contain antioxidants naturally; they can also be taken as supplements. Some skin care products contain them as well.

Different types of  Antioxidants

Antioxidants are sometimes refer to as a wide category, although they are more of a large family. Antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. There are numerous others, each with unique advantages.

Various other antioxidants are:

• Glutathione
• Q10 Coenzyme
• Fatty acid
• Flavonoids
• Phenols
• Polyphenols
• Phytoestrogens

Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants may be able to reduce your risk of developing some diseases because of their capacity to shield you from free radicals. However, the relationship isn’t always obvious, particularly when it comes to supplements. Still, there are numerous more benefits to eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables. Antioxidant-rich foods often include:

• Rich in fibre
• Low in cholesterol and saturated fat
• Plenty of minerals and vitamins

According to some studies, antioxidants may be able to stop some of the cancer-causing harm that free radicals can do. However, there is no solid scientific proof that antioxidant supplements help stop cancer. If dietary antioxidants can help lower your risk of developing cancer, additional research is require to confirm this.

Eyes’ Antioxidants

The most typical reason for mature adults over 50 to lose their vision permanently is age-related macular degeneration or AMD. It occurs when the macula, located far behind the eye, starts to deteriorate. It may eventually cause you to lose your core visual field.

By as much as 25%, antioxidants may help to reduce your risk of developing AMD. If you currently have AMD, they can assist you in maintaining more awake.

The risk of cataracts can be decrease by vitamins C and E. These are protein accumulations that obstruct the front lens of the eye, leading to hazy vision. Additionally, antioxidants may halt the progression of cataracts, preserving superior eyesight for a longer period.

Heart health benefits of Antioxidants

Whether antioxidants can reduce a person’s risk of developing heart disease is a hotly contested topic. On the one hand, studies have indicated that those who consume more fruits and vegetables have decreased odds of developing heart disease and stroke. Early research points to antioxidants as the potential source of this benefit.

However, further research on antioxidant supplementation has not confirmed the same advantages. According to some scientists, this is relate to the greater antioxidant concentrations in supplements. The key may be getting antioxidants from food, but additional investigation is require to see whether there is a true correlation.

Skin Antioxidants

The antioxidant vitamins C and E may be beneficial for skin, according to some research. According to studies, applying a vitamin C cream on the skin could:

• Enhance the look of wrinkles
• Together with broad-spectrum sunscreen, protects the skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.
• Make the skin’s dark patches less noticeable
• Vitamin E, a component of moisturisers, appears to:
• Create softer skin
• Minimise moisture loss
• Defend skin cells from oxidative ageing
• A diet high in antioxidants, including lots of fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains, and fatty fish, supports good skin as well.

Vitamin E-Rich Foods

Antioxidant vitamins and minerals are found in varying amounts in various foods. Beta-carotene, an antioxidant, is present in many orange foods, including:

• Carrots
• The sweet potato
• Squash
• Octopus and apricots
• The following green leafy vegetables have high quantities of beta-carotene:
• Kale
• Spinach
• Greens for a salad
• The antioxidant lutein is also abundant in these plants.

Fruits and vegetables with pink and red or red-orange flesh contain the antioxidant lycopene. Examples comprise: Pink grapefruit, Watermelon, Papaya, and Tomatoes

Conclusion

Free radicals, which have been link to cancer, heart disease, and other disorders, can damage your cells. Antioxidants are molecules that may protect your cells from these diseases. The body produce free radicals when it breaks down food when it is expose to radiation, cigarette smoke, or both. The two vitamins E and C are the most important free radical scavengers in nature.