[ANTIOXIDANTS ARE HEALTHY]-- 4 min read
Hello Warriors!
Welcome to the “From the Fight” blog. The past few weeks we have been talking about what it means to be “healthy” holistically in society. We are in the wellness part of our series and today we will be discussing antioxidants and why they are healthy.
Antioxidants come up frequently in discussions about good health and preventing diseases. These powerful substances are mostly found in the fresh fruits and vegetables we eat.
What are Antioxidants?
Antioxidants protect the body from damage caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. The human body naturally produces free radicals and the Antioxidants counter act their damaging effects. Some antioxidants include some vitamins (such as vitamins C and E), some minerals (such as selenium), and flavonoids, which are found in plants.
What are the benefits of Antioxidants?
The benefits of antioxidants are very important to good health, because if free radicals are left unchallenged, they can cause a wide range of illnesses and chronic diseases. Boosting your antioxidant intake can help provide added protection for the body against:
Slower signs of aging, including of the skin, eyes, tissue, joints, heart and brain
Healthier, more youthful, glowing skin
Reduced cancer risk
Detoxification support
Longer life span
Protection against heart disease and stroke
Less risk for cognitive problems, such as dementia
Reduced risk for vision loss or disorders like macular degeneration and cataracts
Antioxidants are also added to food or household products to prevent oxidation and spoilage
How to get more Antioxidants into our diet?
The best way to get more antioxidants into our diet is by eating more fruits and vegetables. You can find flavonoids in fruits, red wine, and teas. You can also buy antioxidant supplements. It is best to obtain antioxidants from a healthy diet. Here are the Top 10 High Antioxidant Foods:
Goji berries
Wild blueberries
Dark chocolate
Pecans
Artichoke
Elderberries
Kidney beans
Cranberries
Blackberries
Cilantro
Now that you know all about antioxidants and some foods that are high in them, go out there and start implementing a diet rich in antioxidants!
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Keep up the fight!
The low carb, “diabetic,” or Atkins diet all fall under the same umbrella—limit carbs and supplement with high fat and protein food sources. The truth is, there is no true diabetic diet—I’m sure you’ve heard so many stories about different diets that have “cured” diabetes. While that isn’t exactly true, that doesn’t mean that different diets don’t work for different people because they certainly do—our technology just isn’t there yet to customize diet plans based on people’s genetics. In general we are trending away from using the term “diabetic diet” because we want people to have healthy balanced meals rather than extremely restrictive diets.