What are Antioxidants and Why are they so Important?

WHAT ARE ANTIOXIDENTS AND WHY ARE THEY SO IMPORTANT? Antioxidants neutralize harmful free radicals generated in the body as a result of breakdown of food or environmental exposure to tobacco smoke, pollution and UV radiation from the sun among others. If left unchecked, free radicals trigger a chain reaction that can damage your healthy cells causing heart disease, cancer and many other diseases. Five Interesting Facts on Antioxidants CH3 CH3 он H3C. CH3 Antioxidants prevent cell destructions caused by the action of free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that take away electrons from other molecules and damage them. This is the cause for many diseases. на CH CH3 Antioxidants donate electrons to free radicals to stabilize them and this 2 prevents free radicals from invading other cells and causing diseases. Donates electron Your body can produce antioxidant enzymes on its own, which work along with the antioxidants that come with the food you eat. Antioxidants play a vital role in anti-aging and keep you young. 4 Spices are highly rich in antioxidant content among all the food categories. The 10 best antioxidant-rich foods Which foods have the most antioxidants? Find out with these 10 best antioxidant-rich foods. Berries Berries like strawberries, Broccoli Broccoli contains more Garlic Green tea Green tea contains high Tomatoes Tomatoes are brimming with the antioxidant lyco- Garlic is useful for blueberries and raspberries vitamin C than an orange are overflowing with antioxidantscalled decreasing blood pressure and cholesterol, catechin polyphenols and removing heavy metals from the body. concentrations of and has more calcium pene which is more potent in cooked tomatoes. than a glass of milk. also been shown to be anthocyanins. preventative against cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol. Bell Peppers A bell pepper has more vitamin C than an orange? goodness is one of the top Red peppers have even more vitamin C than the Spinach This green leafy bunch of Corns Cherries Peaches Corns has a handful of Cherries are high in two Peaches are high in inflammation-fighting phytochemicals: lutein, which helps protect anthocyanin and quercitin. antioxidant lutein which antioxidants including zeaxanthin, which helps protect your eyes. gives this fruit its gorgeous hue. Lutein helps keep your heart, skin and eyes healthy. sources of the antioxidant green ones. your eyes. Antioxidant Food Table Vitamin C Vitamin E Selenium Beta Carotene Citrus fruits and their juices, berries, dark green vegetables , red and yellow Vegetable oils such as olive, soybean, corn, cottonseed and safflower, nuts and nut peppers, tomatoes and tomato juice, pineapple, cantaloupe, mangos, papaya and guava. butters, seeds, whole grains, wheat, wheat germ, brown rice, oatmeal, soybeans, sweet potatoes,and dark leafy green vegetables. Brazil nuts, brewer's yeast, oatmeal, brown rice, chicken, eggs, dairy products, garlic, molasses, onions, salmon, seafood, tuna, wheat germ, whole grains and most vegetables. Variety of dark orange, red, yellow and green vegetables and fruits such as broccoli, kale, spinach, sweet potatoes, carrots, red and yellow peppers, apricots, cantaloupe and mangos. 3.