What needs to be clarified is the role of antioxidants, and why and how they are beneficial for us. Antioxidants are explained as natural substances which can stop or at the very least, limit the damage of free radicals which wreaks havoc on our organs.
So their basic duty is to first stabilize these free radicals in the attempts to eliminate them. What they also do is prevent further damage to our cells, this by faithfully protecting and at times even reversing the damage which was caused by oxidation.
What’s an added benefit is that most antioxidant rich foods also are usually packed with vitamins and minerals. So the quest begins to find the antioxidant rich foods which offers the most punch.
The Causes Of Free Radical Damage
More than any other organ in the body, the brain is highly subject to attacks from free radicals of oxygen, which are wildly reactive molecules that’s triggered in the normal course of everyday living.
Free radicals can also accumulate by external reactors such as cigarette smoke, air pollution, bodily injury, processed foods, illness, and disease.
What free radicals does is acts similar to biochemical bumper cars, which goes around and damages cell membranes along with DNA with each collision.
What all this cumulative damage from the free radical reactions does is they appear as aging of the skin, major illness, while accelerating the aging process in the human brain.
The Consumption Of Oxygen
What the brain does is consumes more of our oxygen supply than any other organ in the body. What this indicates is it possibly absorbs the most free radicals as well.
Vitamin E is known as the body’s most natural antioxidant. It’s intake is highly recommended for heart and brain health, this in amounts which exceeds the current recommended dosage.
It’s essential for every organ in the body, but what’s known is that even in the most healthiest of diets, there are just scant traces of vitamin E, so taking a daily supplement is suggested.
The Reach Of Antioxidants
The absorption of antioxidants extends far beyond taking vitamin E. They’re also found abundantly in substances which are known as polyphenols.
Polyphenols are most commonly found naturally in the leaves of green and black tea, this in it’s most potent form, usually more than antioxidant vitamins.
What’s found is that drinking up to five cups of fortified tea per day, is capable of supplying the same antioxidant values as several servings of vegetables.
Natural Foods Containing Antioxidants
The majority of fresh fruits and vegetables all contain an abundance of antioxidants along with other natural nutrients, all which helps in maintaining better organ health.
Among those found superior is lycopene that’s found in tomatoes, isoflavones found in soy protein, polyphenols found in red wine, sulphoraphane found in broccoli, and ellagic acid found abundant in berries.
Dark Green Vegetables
Especially lettuce, collard greens, kale, leeks, broccoli, which are found the most effective. So make sure a few of these leafy greens are incorporated into your daily meal, such as a salad.
These green antioxidant fighting machines are all loaded with disease and illness fighting properties, as they contain calcium along with vitamins A, C, and E.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are packed with a lot more healthy properties than regular white potatoes. They’re also loaded with calcium and a substantial amount of vitamin A.
Acorn and butternut squash are also nutrient dense while containing phytochemicals along with plenty of natural vitamins A and C. Carrots, another orange vegetable is rich in vitamin A.
Blueberries
Blueberries are linked to reducing inflammation while preventing cells from damage. These dark little nuggets contain all of the vitally important vitamins and minerals which boosts the immune system.
What blueberries also contain are phytochemicals, which helps protect the body from major illness by eliminating the invasion of free radical damage.
Red Berries
Most berries are known as Mother Nature’s health candy. Bite sized and delicious, they’re fully loaded with excellent nutrients for the organs.
Especially red berries, such as raspberries and strawberries in season, are particularly valuable as they contain a phytochemical known as ellagic acid.
Ellagic acid is know to protect the body from major disease causing agents in the environment. Cranberries are also an extraordinary berry, which is excellent for flushing out the kidneys and bladder.
Grapes
Particularly concord grapes are known to have one of the highest levels of antioxidants, this compared to any other fruit or vegetable.
They’re also loaded with disease fighting phytochemicals, and are especially linked with fighting off heart disease issues.
Dark skinned grapes are generally considered to have higher concentrations of phytochemicals compared to green grapes. Grapes also contains valuable vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C and selenium.
Pomegranates
One of the oldest known fruits, the pomegranate is loaded with little red gems of potent nutritional value in its seeds.
It’s the seeds which are loaded with the most antioxidant value. It’s thought that a single pomegranate contains over half of the daily recommended dosage of vitamin C and pantothenic acid (B5).
These are the nutrients which are closely linked to preventing muscle cramps along with insulin resistance.
Walnuts
This particular nut is highlighted as it ranks the highest in antioxidants. Walnuts also contains loaded amounts of vitamins, protein, and omega-3. Walnuts are also associated with improving cognitive function.
Perhaps the biggest benefit of walnuts is they offer natural anti-inflammatory properties, this because of their high vitamin E content.
Most however will tend to avoid nuts because of their high fat content. Eating most natural nuts without flavoring, will not result in weight gain, while filling you up quickly.