What
Are Free Radicals?
Free radicals. Some may
ask themselves, “What are free radicals and how do they affect
people?” Free radicals are harmful oxygen molecules that invade
cells and cause damage to the body. An excess of free radicals can
occur when they’re over stimulated by pollutants like car
fumes and cigarette smoke. Some experts believe that this excess
of free radicals, if not controlled by antioxidants, can lead to
serious illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, macular dystrophy,
and even cancer. Oxygen free radicals are produced during metabolism,
are highly reactive and have an unpaired electron. They may be responsible
for the aging of tissues and organs. Antioxidants can be consumed
in various fruits, vegetables and legumes to neutralize these free
radicals, repair the damage they have caused, and work to prevent
future harm to the body’s cells.
What are free radicals afraid of? Well, they’re not technically
afraid of anything, but as stated above, their “enemy”
is the antioxidant. Antioxidants such as flavonoids/polyphenols
are found in Concord grapes, pomegranates, cranberries and soy.
Lycopene is another antioxidant, and it is found in pink grapefruit
and tomato products, while the lignan antioxidant is plentiful in
barley, oatmeal and flax seed. When a person consumes antioxidants,
they work to help repair damages caused by free radicals.
If you want to be free of these destructive free radicals, then
you should consume foods such as carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, apricots,
oranges, limes, green peppers, kale, collards, sweet potatoes, nuts,
seeds, fish, shellfish, red meats, garlic, grains, eggs, chicken,
red wine, purple grapes, Brussels sprouts, kiwi and much, much more.
Your body will thank you through your youth and through the years.
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