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You may have come across the word, “antioxidants” quite a few times – mostly in advertisements about supplements, medicines or teas. Hence, you may have established that antioxidants are a good thing and beneficial for your overall health.
You’re right. But antioxidants are beneficial. But how? If you’re a curious cat who wishes to know more about antioxidants, this blog is just for you. This blog will tell you all about antioxidants and how they can help your health.
To brush the basics…
Antioxidants are a group of nutrients, such as vitamins C or E, carotenoids, and selenium that provide protection against free radicals, which have been linked to various health conditions including:
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Parkinson’s disease
Antioxidants are commonly found in plant-based diets. Fruits and vegetables, along with some meats, poultry, fish, nuts, seeds, and whole grains, are the foods that contain the highest concentration of them.
The benefits you need to know
They reduce oxidative stress
Emerging research evidence has suggested that the neutralising effect of antioxidants can inhibit the formation of free radicals in the body and subsequently reduce oxidative stress. Long-term oxidative stress can contribute to the development of a range of chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. Antioxidants help to improve immune function and increase healthy longevity
They help prevent diseases
Oxidative stress is linked to the majority of diseases. According to research, antioxidants can promote healthy cellular function and provide extra protection against illness by lowering oxidative stress. In numerous instances, antioxidants have been connected to decreased incidence of metabolic disorders, cancer, tumours, diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. The impact is expected to be good, even though the study is still ongoing.
They may help prevent cancer
Antioxidants are often regarded as must-haves for optimal health, particularly when it comes to fighting diseases like cancer. A large body of scientific evidence suggests that antioxidants can be beneficial in minimising the burden of free reactive radicals in cells and thus can decrease the duration of chemotherapy sessions.
They support brain function
Did you know that the brain is more vulnerable to free radical damage than most other bodily systems? This is because of the amount of oxygen it consumes for everyday functioning. Several clinical trials have demonstrated that consuming antioxidants is one of the main ways you may defend your brain from this assault of free radicals. In particular, antioxidants may be able to postpone memory loss and other types of cognitive decline.
They promote a healthy ageing process
Abundant evidence suggests that eating various plant-based diets rich in naturally occurring antioxidants—protects against ageing. Antioxidants can help to keep the body healthy and active as we age, helping with everything from mental functions like preventing Alzheimer’s and enhancing memory to general disease prevention (and even helping to reconstruct bones).
They help maintain skin health
Antioxidants can provide additional skin protection by aiding in the battle against free radical damage. Antioxidants have the potential to guard against UV sun damage, which causes premature ageing and wrinkles, which can help avoid skin issues such as redness, puffiness, and wrinkles.
They help promote a healthy gut
Studies published in various journals demonstrate that antioxidants, particularly polyphenols, can lower the amounts of oxidative stress in the gut. They can modulate the composition of the microbiota, promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and inhibit the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
Closing thoughts
Good nutrition must include antioxidants because they may help prevent chronic disease and ageing. However, this does not imply that consuming more antioxidants will shield against these illnesses. It can help, not prevent. However, it’s important to be mindful of artificial sources of antioxidants as they may raise your chance of developing certain health issues. Therefore, it’s critical to look for natural sources and avoid using them as supplements to treat a medical problem. It is recommended that anyone considering taking antioxidant supplements should speak to a health provider first.
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