It seems that you cannot walk thru the grocery store without seeing “Contains Antioxidants” on labels in each aisle. Items from chocolate bars to juices to facial creams boast that they contain
antioxidants. On a regular basis studies are released that show antioxidants may reduce the risk of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, prevent heart disease or certain forms of cancer, and even safeguard our memory. We have all seen it – but what does it mean?
In our world today every person is exposed to negative elements that damage our cells, it is unavoidable. The negative elements can be in smog that we breathe in or UV rays from the sun. Even our own body creates toxins when stress hormones are released. As these toxins and negative elements damage our cells they create free radicals. Basically the free radicals are our cells once they are damaged. Each free radical will go thru our system trying to repair itself, while damaging other cells along the way. The outcome is more free radicals. It can become a slippery slope.
How do we stop from plunging down this slippery slope? This is where the antioxidants come in for the rescue! The antioxidants can repair the free radical without damaging it or other molecules and cells. Each free radical is in distress because it is missing an electron. Antioxidants come along and replace the missing electron, in turn ending the free radical cycle. The
antioxidants can turn the free radical back into the healthy helpful cell it once was!
So where do we find antioxidants? Everywhere! Did you know that our bodies actually make a variety of antioxidants? They do! Our systems are constantly trying to fix and heal ourselves. At this point our system cannot keep up with the demand for antioxidants, so it relies heavily on what we supply thru food. Berries are one of the most popular (and easy) ways to increase our antioxidant intake. All berries – blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and blueberries – are rich in antioxidants. Other popular foods packed with
antioxidants include walnuts, artichoke hearts, pecans, coffee, sour cherries, pineapple, and plums.
