We're all fighting the ravages of time. But, what if time did not have to be so ravaging? Antioxidants might be the answer to aid your body grow old gracefully, strong, and fit.
What are antioxidants?
We now know what super foods are so it's time to define antioxidants. Antioxidants are substances that fight free radical damage in the body. This begs the next query:
What are free radicals?
Here's the down and dirty explanation. The body uses food nutrients at a cellular level to drive many reactions that goes on in the body. This is labeled cellular metabolism or respiration. Free radicals are by-products produced by these reactions. In the body, these materials bump into organs, vessels and everything else, damaging them in the process. That's why the body ages, and not always very gracefully.
Free radicals can come from not only the body but also the surroundings. Pollution, smoking, stress, drugs, alcohol, and any other sources all feed into the damage that causes us to age. Antioxidants help by neutralizing the effects of these rogue particles. You're less vulnerable to disease, wrinkles, age spots, arthritis, and the list goes on.
Antioxidants Foods
What foods can you take to get the most of the antioxidant benefit? As it stands, there're no recommendations so far as the amount of antioxidants you have to take daily. Suffice it to say, eat as many as you can not just for anti-aging effects but also for overall good health. Let's look at a few antioxidant foods:
Berries - The finest berry for antioxidants is believed to be blueberries, but strawberries, blackberries, and raspberries are also good choices to get your fill of antioxidants. The rule is always eat the most colorful fruit and veggies for the most antioxidants. Even a half cup each day on your cereal is a nice start in raising your antioxidants.
Grapes - The skins of the red grape contain an antioxidant substance called resveratrol. This is one reason why it is recommended that people drink a glass of red wine every evening for their health. Naturally, snacking on a plate of red grapes is also considered very healthy. Be sure not to peel the grapes; if you are feeding a young child grapes, simply cut the grapes in halves or quarters so the skins slide down easier.
Prunes - Prunes are great to get the digestive system flowing. But, prunes also offer a great boost to the immune system. And, no, you do not need to drink that rather unpleasant juice if you do not wish to. Snacking on 2 or 3 prunes a day is much more appealing to most of the people.
Pumpkins and Carrots - A well-known antioxidant substance is beta-carotene. They improve eye health, immunity and aid with cellular repair. You will see a common element here - orange color. Again, the more colorful the vegg., the more antioxidant power. Buy pie-pumpkins when you can, cut and roast them just like squash and keep a bag of fresh carrots cut up and ready to munch on.
Beans - Filled with protein, they work to construct muscle and lower cholesterol. Replace meat in your diet a few times a week with a hearty black bean soup, red beans and rice casserole, or 3 bean salad, and your antioxidants will be jumping right off the scale. Beans are not just protein packed, but they are also a vegetable, so you are meeting several food requirements at the same time.
What are you eating? Is your food aging you or is your food aiding you recapture your youth? Antioxidant super foods can slow the aging process so you live well and live long!
Related Articles
Resources
|
Copyright 2009 The UK Affiliate Network Directory |
Our other sites: The UK Online Dating Review The UK Contact Lens Suppliers Directory Designed By: Template World Our Article Archive