Today you can hear a lot about the antioxidant. What does this mean and what is it eaten with? Translated from Latin, this word stands for: "anti" - against, "oxys" - sour, that is, in the literal sense - "antioxidant". What are the he alth benefits?
Oxidation is a destructive process for any substance. It occurs under the influence of active oxygen particles - free radicals. Leaf rot, rust, disease, and old age are all the results of oxidative reactions. Not only the external environment, but also the human body itself constantly synthesizes them - up to two hundred billion molecules per day. But in nature, everything is natural, so an antioxidant helps to resist destruction. What is a panacea for all problems? No, but this is a wonderful way to slow down the aging process, prevent diseases.
Types of antioxidants
1. Natural
Found in certain foods. Natural antioxidants are berries, fruits, nuts, vegetables, as they contain natural vitamins E and C, carotenoids, and selenium. Greatest antioxidant propertieshave fruits and plants of red-orange, blue-black colors. Leading among them are: variegated beans, currants, raspberries, cranberries, prunes, nuts, apples, cherries, blueberries, carrots, garlic, natural coffee and red wine.
2. Synthetic
Synthetic means artificial, i.e. drugs, nutritional supplements (E 300–399). Unlike natural ones, they do not benefit the human body, they can cause various diseases. Their main task is to slow down the rate of oxidation of products, to increase the shelf life of goods. Therefore, you should not get carried away with semi-finished products, canned goods from the store.
What is the antioxidant afraid of?
Scientists have been researching the antioxidant for a long time. That this is an easily degradable substance, there is scientific evidence. Especially detrimental to him: smoking, abuse of sunburn, alcohol, living in a polluted area, insufficient exposure to fresh air, a state of illness, age over fifty years. It is better to get rid of your bad habits, lead a he althy lifestyle. If the situation is unrecoverable, then it is necessary to take an increased dose of antioxidants, possibly even in a dosage form (as prescribed by a doctor).
Rules for taking antioxidants
Remember what you need:
- Regularly add a variety of foods to your diet: fresh bright vegetables, fruits, nuts, occasionally a glass of real red wine.
- Do not abuse them, do not constantly use cosmetics containing an antioxidant. What is ittoo useful for the skin, rejuvenates it, there is no direct evidence. It is only known that it relieves inflammation, protects against ultraviolet radiation. And its excessive amount turns into a prooxidant, which only harms.
- Take only natural antioxidants, as artificial ones are the same as synthetic vitamins. Natural ones will always protect the body better than the most fashionable synthetic composition.
So, an antioxidant is the best available way to protect your body. Recent studies have shown that free radicals are the main culprits of various pathologies in humans and animals. For example, cholesterol plaques, DNA damage, cancers are directly related to free radicals.