Antioxidants
In Food Keep Your Body Strong
Antioxidants play an important
role in the upkeep of your body, and are vital in keeping your cells
healthy and functioning. Lucky for you, most antioxidants occur
naturally in food. Common foods, most of which are already recommended
as part of a healthy diet, are easy to fit into your daily life.
Antioxidants in food are most commonly recognized by the color of
the food itself. Bright colors, such as the red in tomatoes, the
dark blues and purples of blackberries and grapes, the yellow and
orange of corn and citrus, and many other colors and combinations
all signal high levels of antioxidants in food. Some include:
- Vitamins A and E – Helps maintain
healthy eyes and skin, promotes healthy cell growth, and builds
a strong immune system to fight off illness and disease
- Vitamin C – Builds strong bones to
help prevent bone conditions like osteoporosis and is the most
common antioxidant in food
- Selenium – This mineral is vital in
maintaining a healthy metabolism and may reduce the risk of
prostate cancer in men
- Lycopene – Most commonly found in
tomatoes, this compound may help reduce your risk of certain
types of cancer and protect against cardiovascular disease in
women
- Beta-carotene – Found in high concentrations
in carrots, this antioxidant in food helps rid your body of
harmful disease-causing toxins and chemicals and promotes healthy
skin and eyes
Antioxidants in food are necessary to help
repair cells damaged during oxidation. However, vitamin and mineral
deficiencies are common due to poor diets. Finding antioxidants
in foods you should already be eating is the best way to provide
your body with what it needs to keep you healthy and stress-free!
|
