INCREDIBLE FACTS YOU HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT ANTIOXIDANTS
Why antioxidants are good for health?
Antioxidants are substances that protect your body from damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are a by-product of a chemical reaction in the body. The body uses antioxidants to protect itself from free radicals. They can cause many aggregate diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases. So, antioxidants help maintain the level of free radicals in the body. The sources of antioxidants are fruits, vegetables, and whole food. In addition, many vitamins like E and C act as antioxidants. The sources of antioxidants are both natural and artificial too. Some antioxidants are also produced by the bod. Scientifically, antioxidants act as a hydrogen and electron donor, enzyme inhibitor and metal chelating agent.
WHAT IS OXIDATIVE STRESS?
Free radicals produced in large quantities cause oxidative stress. They can impair normal body functioning. Increased production of free radicals can be due inflammation or external factors like exposure to sunlight, pollution, and smoking. Oxidative stress can cause cancer, heart disease, stroke or arthritis, weak immune system, Parkinson’s disease. Antioxidants neutralize the free radicals and increase overall health and well-being.
Most common Antioxidants
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Lutein
- Manganese
- Selenium
- Beta carotene
- Lycopene
BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANTS
There are various health benefits of antioxidants, some are mentioned below
- Improve mental health
Oxidative stress damages the hippocampus cells, which affect mental health. The hippocampus is a special area of the brain which is involved in memory and learning. Research proved that the use of antioxidants reduces the damage of brain cells and improves overall brain health.
Moreover, the antioxidants help in neuropsychiatric treatment. A research report showed that anti-oxidant also helps to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Prevent Cancer
Cancer is a serious disease, and the breakdown of cells can cause cancer. Antioxidants stop the breakdown of cells and damage of free radicals, and it reduces the risk of Cancer. Additionally, scientists are finding more facts about antioxidants and cancer prevention.
- Eye disease
AMD is an old age eye disease, and it is a permanent eyesight loss disease in old age people. Oxidative stress damages the macula, but antioxidants protect the macula and reduce the risk of eye disease.
- Improve heart health
Antioxidants help to lower the risk of heart disease. About a million people in the world have heart problems. But researchers claim that the antioxidants help to improve heart health and lower the chance of heart diseases like heart stroke, cardiac failure, etc. as you know the vegetables and fruits have anti-oxidant in them, so adding these antioxidant fruits and vegetables to diet for better heart health
ANTIOXIDANT RICH FOOD
There are different sources of antioxidants. Here are a few antioxidants rich foods mentioned below
- Dark chocolate
It is great for you if you are a chocolate lover because dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants.
The black chocolate contains additional cocoa than other normal chocolate. That’s why it has more minerals and vitamins in it. According to FRAP analysis, 100 grams of dark chocolate have 15 mmol of antioxidants.
That’s why doctors claim that dark chocolate is beneficial for good health. Dark chocolate helps to reduce inflammation and lower the chance of getting heart disease because it has a sufficient amount of antioxidants in it. According to 10 studies reviews, dark chocolate also helps balance blood pressure in high blood pressure patients—additionally, this dark chocolate helps to reduce cardiac disease because it increases the oxidative level.
- Spinach
Spinach is full of nutrients vegetables, and it has enough antioxidants in it. Additionally, it contains essential vitamins and minerals.
According to a report of FRAP analysis, 100 grams of spinach contains 0.9 mmol of antioxidants. In addition, it contains two important anti-oxidants as zeaxanthin and lutein—these two antioxidants aid in protecting the eyes from ultraviolet rays and other hazardous wavelengths.
- Beans
Beans are good for health because beans are high in fiber and protein. Additionally, these beans contain 2 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces each. Additionally, the beans have a specific antioxidant called kaempferol which has multiple benefits like lower chronic inflammation, lower high blood pressure. Moreover, the kaempferol suppressed the cancer cells. A study report showed that anti-oxidant kaempferol stops the growth of cancer cells in the lungs and kidneys.
- Red cabbage
Red cabbage is full of nutrients because it contains vitamins C, A, and k. Additionally, it is a good source of antioxidants. According to FRAP Analysis, 100 grams of red cabbage contains 2.2 mmol of antioxidants. Moreover, the red cabbage contains anthocyanin, which has various health benefits such as reducing heart problems and lowering the risk of cancer.
CONCLUSION:
Antioxidants are essential elements for health because they neutralize the harmful free radicals and help cure diseases such as eye infections, cancers, improve mental health and reduce stress or anxiety. These antioxidants are present in various foods such as cabbage, kale, spinach, dark chocolate etc.