It use to be that a free radical was someone you wanted the government to capture, oxygen was a good thing, and meat and potatoes was a healthy diet. Now we find out that free radicals live in your body, oxygen is the cause, and only rich people can afford to eat healthy. What’s an average Joe to do? Fortunately, understanding and benefiting from antioxidants is easier than you think.
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. And what is oxidation? The human cellular version of rust on a car.
Redox (or oxidation/reduction reactions) are chemical reactions involving the losing or gaining of electrons from atoms and molecules. A free radical is the resulting unstable particle which has a single unpaired electron on its outer ring. Highly reactive, free radicals damage or destroy other cells in a chain reaction which can lead to things like cancer, heart disease and premature aging.
Antioxidants are the heroes that neutralize these molecular bad guys. They help reduce inflammation, keep arteries flexible, and preserve the genetic material each cell contains to prevent mutation. While the human body produces some antioxidants naturally, others must be continually replenished through food sources. Variety is key.
Rich antioxidant sources are whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes. ScienceDaily.com reports that the cranberry (in pure form) contains the highest quantity of disease-fighting phenols, a type of antioxidant that is thought to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, stroke and heart disease. Incorporating these healthy choices into your diet will aid in the battle against the free radical.
However, if eating healthy is a challenge for you, take heart. Coffee, tea, chocolate, red wine, and even pizza contain valuable antioxidants. In fact, a study reported by ScienceDaily.com showed that antioxidant levels in pizza increased up to 60 percent during longer baking times and up to 82 percent during higher baking temperatures, depending on the type of wheat flour and the antioxidant test used. Simply changing your baking methods makes a difference.
So drink your coffee, and red wine, eat whole wheat pizza and some dark chocolate; kill the radicals and live longer.
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