Antioxidants Like a System In Opposition to Free of Charge Radicals

Fumes, smoke and food contaminated with pesticides are examples of sources of free radicals from outside the body are at risk of damaging the cells in the body and trigger serious illness. Eating foods rich in antioxidants may reduce the risk of such damage.

When cleaved, bananas will quickly change color. Chicken meat that is not stored in the refrigerator in time they will become stale. This is called oxidation. Likewise with the natural processes that occur in human cells.


As the body uses oxygen, approximately 1-2 percent of the cells will be broken and turned into free radicals. Free radical is the name for the damaged cells that can cause certain negative conditions. To prevent damage, the body needs sufficient antioxidants.


Antioxidants are substances that help protect your body's cells from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals can be obtained naturally and from outside the body. Naturally, free radicals are chemicals produced from the digestion of food. While from the outside of the body, caused by cigarette smoke and radiation. Free radicals can not handle the body can trigger a variety of chronic diseases, such as cancer and heart disease.

At this time, especially in large cities when pollution levels are higher, antioxidants are needed. Oxidative burden in the body in such an environment is much higher than in places with low pollution levels. Your body can not naturally produce antioxidants as needed so you need to eat enough foods with high antioxidant content. To combat free radicals, it is advisable to consume enough foods that contain antioxidants every day.

Types and Sources of Antioxidants

There are many different types of antioxidants. Vitamin C acts to prevent damage to capture and neutralize free radicals. While vitamin E can break the chain of free radicals. Another one is a type of flavonoid found in many foods and is the largest part of antioxidant. Each type of antioxidants work in different ways in different parts of the body as well. Your body requires a variety of blend of vitamins and minerals to protect itself from damage.

Some fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants is higher than others. Examples of antioxidants that the body uses vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene. All three are found mainly in fruits and vegetables red, orange, yellow, and purple.

Here are some of the main food sources of antioxidants is recommended to be consumed on a regular basis.

Fruits: grapes, oranges, banana, apples, pears, mango, pineapple, papaya, strawberries.
Vegetables: tomatoes,broccoli, asparagus,  red cabbage, red potatoes.
Nuts: pecans, walnuts,  almonds.
In addition to the above ingredients, without additives chocolate, tea, and coffee are also a good source of antioxidants. As much as possible the consumption of a variety of food groups in order to get the best benefits of all kinds.

see also: This is the 6 Types of Antioxidants Along with How You Can Process All of Them

One study found that older women who are not accustomed to eating vegetables and fruits each day will have a 25 percent higher risk for having a heart attack within the next 10 years than those who did not. Avoid cooking the vegetables overcooked that vitamin content is not lost. The best way to eat vegetables is to be consumed raw or partially cooked steamed.

Better Vegetable and Fruit Natural
The study found that antioxidant supplements do not necessarily bring benefits as many antioxidants found in fresh foods. There is even a study that found that in some cases these supplements can bring risks.

In addition to bringing the risk of complications if taken with other drugs, antioxidant supplements in high doses can bring health risks. In smokers, beta-carotene supplements in high levels of risk of causing lung cancer. While vitamin E supplements in high doses may increase the risk of stroke and prostate cancer.

Instead of supplements, fresh fruit and vegetables are the best sources of natural antioxidants. Prioritizing containing vitamin E, C, and carotenoids, flavonoids, tannins, phenols and lignans. Besides being rich in antioxidants, are generally fresh fruits and vegetables are rich in fiber and low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

But that does not mean that the direct antioxidant-rich foods can prevent all possible diseases. The benefits obtained from nutritious food can be maximized with a blend of healthy lifestyle, such as regular exercise and adequate rest.