Why Do You Need Antioxidants in Your Diet?

Antioxidants prevent oxidation, which means theyoxidation. One of them we produce in our bodies; we
either prevent electrons from being removed fromdo not, and cannot get it from the food we eat. Its
one molecule and passed to another, or they preventname is glutathione, a small molecule composed of
a molecule of oxygen from being added to somethree amino acids, but don't worry; we aren't going
other molecule or atom. A simple example involvesthere. Let it suffice to say that if we can't make
the oxidation of an atom of carbon when it isglutathione ourselves, we are skunked. The other
oxidized to carbon dioxide. Biologically speaking,two antioxidant warriors are vitamins C and E. These
antioxidants also help prevent hydrogen ions fromwe must get from the foods we eat.
being removed from organic compounds.Good sources of Vitamin C are the fresh fruits of
When a substance like wood (cellulose) is burning, it ismany kinds of plants, and some of their green parts
being oxidized. The carbon atoms of the cellulose areas well. The following presents the best of these
being oxidized to carbon dioxide and the oxygen isfoods in descending order from those having fruits
being reduced to water, while the energy of itsleaves/vegetables with the highest concentration of
chemical bonds is being converted to heat and light.Vitamin C per gram of plant tissue, down to those
In everyday speech we speak of "burning carbs" towith the lowest concentration:o Rose (rose hips);
gain energy during an exercise workout. In this case,More than 2000 mg/100 grams plant tissue.o Black
the sugars we have eaten are being "burned" slowlyCurrant, Red Pepper, Parsley, Red Guava; 100-200
as they also are converted to water, carbon dioxidemg/100 grams.o Kiwi Fruit, Broccoli, Loganberry, Red
and heat. But take note! No light is produced whenCurrant, Brussels Sprouts, Lychee, Elderberry,
we burn carbs; no light is produced when we oxidizePersimmon, Papaya, Strawberry; 60-99 mg/100
all kinds of molecules in our bodies. The oxidation isgrams tissue.o Orange, Lemon, Cantaloupe,
controlled so that energy is released slowly to beCauliflower, Garlic, Grapefruit, Raspberry, Tangerine,
used to power our bodies and its processes.Mandarin Orange, Spinach, Cabbage, Lime; 30-50 mg
The first thing to learn here is that oxidation in our100 grams of plant tissue.o Mango, Blackberry,
bodies is not always bad and not always good.Potato, Honeydew Melon; 20-28 mg/100 grams.o
Sometimes there are benefits, and at other timesCranberry, Tomato, Blueberry, Pineapple, Grape, Aai
there are disadvantages or outright losses.berry, Apricot, Plum, Watermelon, Banana,
The benefits are pretty obvious. When we needPomegranate, Carrot, Avocado, Crabapple, Cherry,
more energy, we "burn some carbs." We oxidizePeach, Apple, Asparagus, Pear, Lettuce, Cucumber,
some sugars to get that energy we need on aEggplant, Fig; Bilberry, Horned Melon, Medlar, less than
short-term basis. We oxidize other kinds of complex20 mg/100 grams plant tissue.
carbohydrates, like glycogen, to help our bodies growGood sources of Vitamin E, otherwise known as
and repair themselves.Alpha Tocopherol, include the following in no special
However, some kinds of molecules in our bodies areorder:o Avocado.o Nuts of woody plants such as
constantly at risk of being oxidized. When thisalmonds and hazelnuts.o Red palm oil.o Spinach and
happens, they are damaged or destroyed in theother green leafy vegetables.o Vegetable oils such as
process. Then we age a little bit if these other kindscanola, corn, sunflower, soybean, cottonseed, and
of molecules are part of structures like skin, or bloodolive oil.o Wheat germ.o Whole grains and whole grain
vessels, or knee joints, or brain tissue, and so on. Itfood products.o Milk.o Asparagus.
is oxidation of this kind that we would like to preventThe most important lesson of this article is that it is
or slow down to prevent aging.wise to add foods that are rich in antioxidants to
Unique forms of oxygen and hydrogen, called freeyour diet. Put fresh fruits on your cereal in the
radicals, are primary culprits of the aging process. Bymorning, and drink a glass of fresh fruit juice as a
eating foods that have strong antioxidant activity,pep-up at anytime during the day. Juices that are
we help our bodies fight the toxic effects of theseshaken or stirred constantly may not be as healthy
free radicals.due to the destruction of vitamin C. If you do not
There are three strong antioxidants that are theyet include fresh fruits in your diet, all such additions
warriors we depend upon to fight the bad aspects ofwill help improve your health, fitness, and longevity.