Add These Antioxidant-Rich Foods To Your Plate!

Antioxidants are substances that work to inhibit the oxidation process by neutralizing free radicals, chemicals that overpopulate and damage healthy cells and DNA. Antioxidants also undergo many other beneficial processes in the body including: protecting DNA against toxic metals, protecting the kidneys, producing energy for cells, aiding the immune system, heart and brain, as well as stimulating gene production. These goodies have countless important jobs to keep on top of within the body.

Do Antioxidants Help Fight Cancer?

This one is tricky to definitively answer. Because of their oxidation-restricting abilities, many people believe antioxidants directly fight cancer. However, according to the National Cancer Institute, studies show mixed results on whether or not antioxidants can stop cancer. While there have been promising studies that suggest antioxidants may help prevent, or positively influence certain types of cancer at certain stages, more empirical evidence is needed before antioxidant supplements are recommended to cancer patients.

Other Conditions Antioxidants May Help Prevent

While more research is needed to unequivocally correlate antioxidants with disease prevention, various studies suggest antioxidants can help reduce your risk of developing such conditions as:

• Eye diseases (like macular degeneration)
• Atherosclerosis
• Heart disease
• Senility (specifically Alzheimer’s disease)
• Skin aging

Different Types of Antioxidants

There are many varieties of antioxidants, but the science gets a little tricky when looking into the chemical makeups, subcategories, forms and duties of all these different types. Some of the more common types of helpful antioxidants we should strive to consume include: anthocyanins, lutein, beta carotene, manganese, selenium, vitamins E and C, resveratrol, zinc and flavonoids.

Dietary Sources of Antioxidants

It would benefit everyone to increase intake of antioxidant-rich foods, as they have many proven health benefits and are integral to a healthy body. Some key sources of antioxidants are:

• Green veggies such as spinach and broccoli
• Orange foods like oranges and carrots are high in beta carotene
• Spices such as garlic, parsley, thyme and oregano
• Berries (especially blueberries and cranberries, these are very rich sources of antioxidants)
• Fruit such as grapes, tomatoes and watermelon
• Teas such as matcha and green tea (coffee also contains antioxidants)
• Seeds and nuts (especially brazil nuts)
• Many types of seafood contain zinc and manganese
• Whole grains contain selenium and zinc
• Lentils such as soybeans, split peas and lentils are rich in antioxidants

Thus concludes today’s look at antioxidants, but we will examine the topic further in future posts. Thanks for visiting DocChat! We hope you’ll swing by again soon.