What Are Antioxidants
It is common knowledge that antioxidants are good for you and that they help with the anti aging process. Also there are different types of antioxidants, with different benefits, and they come in natural food or as supplements.
What happens is that free radicals react with cell molecules in our bodies, damaging them.
We are composed of atoms that join together and become molecules. These atoms have electrons, and a free radical is a molecule with one electron too many. This electron attaches itself to another molecule, that has now one electron too many and the cycle repeats itself. The end result is a damaged cell which has become oxidized.
Antioxidants give the extra electron to the free radical stopping the cycle and prevent cell damage. This is a continuos process as free radicals are formed naturally and absorbed from the environment, specially through pollution, smoking and pesticides.
As free radicals are attacking cells and damaging them we have to revert the process before this damage ends in severe damage and illness.
This means we need to absorb antioxidants continuously.
The way to do this is by consuming food rich in antioxidants, and these are fruits and vegetables. You can also find vitamin and antioxidant supplements at drugstores or groceries.
Perhaps the best known antioxidants are Vitamin C, E and beta-carotene although there are others.
You should look for a balanced intake of antioxidants for best results, and you can do this while adding a bit of variety in your life by trying out new recipes.
Tags: Health, exercise, nutrition
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