You've probably heard that antioxidants are very healthy and that we should consume enough of them to counteract free radicals, which are harmful. Antioxidants are molecules that protect against oxidation. Oxidation can damage cells, think of it like a kind of rust. Rust makes things weak and eventually breaks them down; you certainly don't want this for your body cells. Excessive oxidation is usually caused by an excess of free radicals.
Antioxidants are called defense substances and are absorbed by the body through food. Because diets are becoming increasingly unhealthy, we are also getting fewer and fewer antioxidants to defend ourselves, making us more susceptible to diseases.
In addition to protecting against free radicals, antioxidants (in the right amount) do the following:
- boost the immune system
- improve focus
- keep your heart and blood vessels in good condition
- improve sperm quality
- reduce stress
- reduce severe headaches and migraines
- keep brain cells in good and healthy condition
- counter the aging process
We encounter free radicals daily. For example, through certain foods, medicines, alcohol, inflammation, and the air we breathe. But also through shampoo, cosmetics, radiation, tap water, solvents, air travel, smog, and air pollution. This list is much longer, as free radicals are everywhere.
Although free radicals cause many problems, you also need them in your body. They help your immune system to defend itself against toxic invaders, viruses, and disease. In some cases, they are also a result of normal bodily processes. Consider, for example, the digestion of food after a meal. This leads to higher cellular metabolism and thus an increased form of free radicals. Eating too often can also lead to a larger amount of free radicals.
The biggest cause of free radicals is chronic stress! Under stress, the body chooses the fastest way to produce energy, and this indirectly involves many free radicals. So, you especially need antioxidants now.
Fortunately, your body produces antioxidants itself with sufficient intake of minerals and trace elements such as manganese, iron, selenium, copper, and zinc. Additionally, we can get many antioxidants from our diet. For example: berries, brassicas (especially broccoli), leafy greens, garlic, matcha tea, olive oil, fresh herbs like ginger, turmeric, cilantro, cumin, oregano, nuts, organic fruit (with peel if edible) and dark chocolate.
Of course, this list is much longer. Pay particular attention to the color of vegetables, as the deeper the color, the more antioxidants they contain. It is also important that plants are organic, because if a plant has had to protect itself against insects and fungi, it will contain more antioxidants.
Regular variation and eating foods with a wide diversity of colors is the secret to getting antioxidants and other healthy nutrients.
You can also boost antioxidants with supplements.
A good vitamin C supplement, for example, is a strong antioxidant. When you add vitamin C to your smoothie, for example, you keep the smoothie fresh longer because the nutrients oxidize less quickly.
Which nutrients you choose depends on any existing complaints and medication. To ensure you make the right and safe choice, you can request free supplement advice. Don't forget to mention that you would like to use a suitable antioxidant as a supplement.
*Claims awaiting European approval
