Effects Of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that fight the damage caused by free radicals. To understand the effects of antioxidants it is important to know what free radicals are and what they do. Free radicals are reactive molecules produced by everyday chemical reactions in the body. For example, free radicals can be produced by going out in the sun or exercising. Does this mean you shouldn't exercise or go outside? Of course not. Thanks to antioxidants, you can neutralize these molecules, prevent cell damage and even repair sustained damage.


Free radicals are also produced by undesirable activities like cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. If you smoke, quitting is the best thing you can do to reduce the damage. If you drink alcohol, medical experts recommend no more than one drink per day for women and two for men. Even if you live a healthy lifestyle you still need antioxidants to protect against those free radicals that cannot be prevented.

Antioxidants work by binding together with the free radicals which makes the unable to damage cells. And as mentioned before, antioxidants can repair damage already sustained by free radicals to a certain extent. There are certain antioxidants produced naturally by the body. However you still need antioxidants from food and beverage sources. While most every doctor will approve the use of a daily multivitamin the use of high doses of antioxidant supplements is controversial and may even be harmful. Right now the consensus in the medical community is that the best way to get antioxidants is through natural food sources as there may be other components in the foods that work together for maximum benefit.

There are all kinds of foods and beverages rich in antioxidants. To get the beneficial effects of antioxidants, aim for at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day. Go for rainbow colored produce like tomatoes, watermelon, red peppers, kale, broccoli, spinach, berries and citrus fruits. Antioxidants can also be found in coffee and tea, especially the green and white varieties. Dark chocolate is also a source of antioxidants but should be consumed in moderation. Even red wine contains antioxidants, however more than one glass per day can negate the beneficial effects. To learn more about antioxidants speak to your doctor or registered dietician.



Free Radicals & Antioxidants


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