Antioxidants

Antioxidants are compounds that protect the cells (cell membranes) from the potentially harmful effects to our body or reactions that can cause excessive oxidation. Antioxidants are capable of neutralizing oxygen radicals.

Body's need for antioxidants is increasing every day.

For example, scientists have calculated that by the age of fifty years about 30% of the protein contained in the cells become waste because of the attacks of free radicals. Fat molecules are especially vulnerable. Free radicals oxidize these fats and they "deteriorate". Therefore, antioxidants have been successfully used in practice for a long time. For example, to increase the shelf life of some food products containing fats and vitamins as food additives, natural and synthetic antioxidants are used, e.g.:

  • citric acid;
  • pectin;
  • ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
  • butylhydroxy toluene BHT;
  • butylhydroxyanisol BHA;
  • dihydroquercetin;
  • anthocyanins;
  • trilon B (EDTA), and others.

They are everywhere: in anti-age creams in medicinal drugs, they are ingredients of dietary supplements, and are added to animal feed. Antioxidants can prolong healthy life of body cells, hampering the aging process.

Our health and mood depend first and foremost on our diet. Experts say that any fruit or vegetable we have eaten will contribute to the fight against free radicals, and, therefore, aging. Today there are known more than 100 varieties of antioxidants. Many of them produced by the body itself, but they are not enough to fight against free radicals. Therefore, we must receive antioxidants with food to keep our body healthy.

Where can we find antioxidants?

They are present in germinated seeds, cold pressed vegetable oils, and in cereals. Below, there is a list of plants, which are rich in antioxidants:

  • Sage (herb).
  • Rosemary (herb).
  • Chamomile (flowers).
  • Kalina (fruits).
  • Carrots (fruits).
  • 6. Hawthorn (fruits).
  • Pomegranate (seeds).
  • Walnut (leaves).
  • Rosehip (seeds).
  • Parsley (fruits).
  • Green tea (leaves).
  • Yarrow (herb).
  • Rowan (fruits).
  • Wormwood (herb).
  • Grapes (fruits).
  • Sea buckthorn (fruits).
  • Fennel (fruits).
  • Tomatoes (fruits).
  • Lettuce (leaves).
  • Arugula (leaves).
  • Greens
  • Cucumber (fruits).
  • Spinach (leaves).

It is worth knowing that antioxidants are easily destroyed under the influence of the following factors:

  • smoking;
  • frequent tanning in a solarium or in the sun;
  • liability to diseases or age above 50 years;
  • big metropolis, absence of walks in the open.

So, we found out that antioxidants are a group of biologically active substances that:

  • neutralize free radicals;
  • inhibit the activity of free radicals;
  • disrupt the process of formation of free radicals in the body;
  • restore body’s health.