- Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as enzymes
- Antioxidants help fight oxidation, a normal chemical process that takes place in the body every day.
- It can be accelerated by stress, smoking, drinking, air pollution, infection, toxic substances, and radiation can lead to free radical production in the body.
- Oxidation is a natural process. It is essentially an imbalance between the production of free radicals and the ability of the body to counteract or detoxify their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants.
- Human body needs more antioxidants than it has the ability to produce because free radicals multiply very rapidly.
- As a result, a continuous supply of antioxidants needs to be introduced into the body in order to help protect it against cellular damage caused by oxidative stress and free radicals.
The following list represents the antioxidants and foods:
Vitamin C
- Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin, and the body’s first line of defense against illnesses. Because this vitamin cannot be stored by the body, it is important to eat a diet that supplements vitamin C daily.
- Food sources of this antioxidant include citrus fruits,oranges,kiwi,guava,brussel sprouts, green leafy vegetables, strawberries, green bell peppers, broccoli, cabbage,kale.
Vitamin E
- Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps protect the body’s largest organ, the skin.
- Food Sources of this vitamin include whole grains, almonds,sunflower seeds,pine nuts, wheat germ, green leafy vegetables.
Beta-Carotene
- Beta-carotene has the incredible ability to protect vegetables and fruits from UV damage, and it offers the same protection values to humans. It is also an essential antioxidant for good eye health.
- Beta-carotene can be found in dark green, yellow, and orange-colored fruits and vegetables, including kale, collards, broccoli, celery,asparagus,carrots, pumpkins, tomatoes, cantaloupe, lemons,papaya,peaches, and apricots.
Selenium
- Selenium is also a powerful cancer-fighting antioxidant. The best dietary sources of selenium include garlic, grains, brazil nuts, spinach.
Glutathione
- Glutathione is an essential antioxidant that helps protect cells from free radicals and other toxins.
- It includes asparagus,avocado,spinach,zucchini broccoli,watermelon,strawberries,papaya,cantaloupe,peaches.
Peroxidase
- Peroxidase is an enzyme antioxidant that occurs naturally in plants and milk. It can be found in such foods as mangoes, soybeans, turnips, and horseradish root.
Flavonoids
- They help promote antioxidant activity throughout the body, helping to improve the health of cells, and tissue renewal.
- When flavanoids are taken with vitamin C, it help reduce oxidative stress, and the effects of aging.
- Sources of flavonoids include cranberries, beets, grapes (red or black), oranges, lemons,lime, berries,black tea, green tea, grapefruit, and kale.
Lycopene
- It is a great source of antioxidant.Lycopene is a carotenoid which gives many fruits and vegetables that red color.
- Food sources of lycopene include tomatoes,watermelon,red bell peppers.
Polyphenol Antioxidants
- Polyphenol antioxidants have been shown to be effective at helping combat oxidative stress, but they are not produced naturally by the body.
- Sources of phytonutrient-rich foods- such as blackberries, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, cantaloupe, grapes, pears, broccoli, cabbage, celery, onion, green tea, olive oil, whole grains, and chocolate.
Thus, antioxidant can help to maintain health .It detoxifies the body by removing toxin and minimizing the effect of free radicals and reduce stress.