In the news, certain words pop up again and again regarding nutrition. Often, the public will repeat these words without fully understanding their meaning. Antioxidants are definitely a nutrition hot topic, but what are they and why are they so darn good for you? Hopefully this article will provide you with some clarity concerning antioxidants. Maybe you’ll even walk away with the knowledge to impress a few people at a cocktail party.
Don’t Free the Radicals
Why are antioxidants such a hit among nutrition researchers? Antioxidants squelch free radicals in their tracks. Free radicals are formed internally as a result of everyday wear-and-tear: exposure to UV rays, stress, inactivity, unhealthy eating and simply living and breathing. So what is a free radical? Remember when you learned about atoms and electrons? Usually the electrons on a molecule come in pairs, and they are happy this way. In a free radical, this happy pair has been broken up, and the electron left behind gets angry and starts looking for trouble. What kind of trouble? Free radicals damage DNA and that leads to premature aging, heart trouble and even cancer. Antioxidants save the day by giving up one of their own electrons and sending free radicals to a time out.
Eat Your Antioxidants
It seems that every day we learn about new antioxidants and their potential benefits to our health. From anthocyanins in pomegranate juice to EGCG in green tea, researchers and media debate the merits of each antioxidant and which food has the highest antioxidant score. Antioxidants can be a vitamin, mineral or phytochemical (the technical term for naturally occurring plant chemical). But where do antioxidants live? They are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, spices—all of the foods nature provides. Rich colour is a handy indicator you are eating antioxidant-rich foods. The pigments in brightly coloured foods have powerful antioxidant effects. Much of summer’s bounty is rich in nourishing antioxidants. Be sure to fill up on local berries, tomatoes, bell peppers, broccoli and dark leafy greens like chard. Shopping for a variety of fresh produce will ensure that you aren’t missing out on the full spectrum of antioxidants, including those that remain undiscovered.
Make the Choice: Broccoli or Broccoli in a Pill?
Although it has been confirmed that foods are a definite source of antioxidants, research is mixed on the supplemental forms. When it comes to concentrates, manufacturing can strip many of the beneficial nutrients from foods. Some supplements are well researched and are powerful tools in your natural medicine arsenal. The difficulty with supplemental forms of antioxidants is that while certain antioxidants work well solo, others need a posse of supporting antioxidants to work at their full potential. This makes foods your best bet. Use food first to provide a spectrum of nutrients and then choose your supplements with care. To ensure you are making a wise investment, be sure to talk to your naturopathic physician or other health professional about which antioxidant supplements are research-supported and right for your health goals. Choices’ knowledgeable healthcare consultants can help you choose quality supplements to suit your healthy lifestyle.
Have a nutrition question? Email nutrition@choicesmarkets.com.
