Last week we delved into the topic of nutrition for National Nutritional Awareness Month. So we thought we’d go deeper and explore the world of antioxidants in a little more detail. In our blog post, What Are You Feeding Your Beautiful Brain?, we briefly touched on the job antioxidants do, so how about we take a closer look? After all, we’ve all heard of antioxidants, but how do they actually work?
At the grocery store, we always come across foods labelled as antioxidants, but what exactly is an antioxidant? If you didn’t read our explanation in our last blog post, here’s a little explanation to clear things up.
Antioxidants are molecules contained within foods, and they help to stop or delay some kinds of cell damage. They can be found in various types of foods, mainly in fruits and vegetables. For example, some fruit and veggies produce antioxidants such as vitamin C, or selenium.
Every living thing needs antioxidants to survive. However, we don’t just get antioxidants from food, our amazing bodies actually do a good job of producing it for us. The cellular antioxidant glutathione is just one of the types of antioxidant molecules our bodies naturally produce.
Antioxidants give out electrons that help the body to protect itself against reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS is hungry for electrons and it occurs naturally when the body turns food into energy. Or when the body is exposed to things like air pollution. Frequent and continued exposure may result in electrons being taken from other molecules, and what is known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can damage cells, which can lead to chronic diseases, particularly if electrons are taken from DNA molecules, and their functions are changed.
Antioxidants help to give ROS the electrons they’re hungry for, so they don’t end up picking the pockets of molecules that need electrons for their own purposes. This is what antioxidants do. With different chemical behaviors and biological profiles, various antioxidants fulfil different needs. Since some work differently than others, our bodies need a variety of antioxidants to cater for all eventualities.
Did you know? Antioxidants can even help to increase the shelf life of some foods in the form of antioxidant preservatives.
This is why it’s important to eat a range of different foods so we give ourselves the best chance of taking in the right antioxidants to satisfy our bodies’ needs. Different fruit and vegetables bring us the antioxidants our bodies cannot produce for themselves. Studies have shown a correlation between lower instances of conditions related to oxidative stress and higher intakes of foods rich in antioxidants. Conditions that can be affected by antioxidants include some cancers and diseases.
No matter your age or condition, everyone can benefit from a varied and well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit, vegetables, and legumes that offer a rich range of antioxidants. You can count on EJAI Loves Homecare’s expert healthcare workers in Florida to make sure your loved one eats a balanced diet when they visit for a scheduled check in. It’s easy to set up a regular visit from a dedicated healthcare expert for your loved one, just contact us.
Some people become concerned about getting enough antioxidants, and opt for supplements to boost their intake. However, researchers have not found conclusive evidence that antioxidants from supplements can provide as much protection. This may be because antioxidants work better when they are combined with molecules found in food.
Did you know?: there are as many as eight different types of vitamin E contained in food, however, there is only one type contained in supplements.
As well as combating Reactive Oxygen Species, antioxidants also help the body to handle free radicals, compounds that are harmful if they’re allowed to build up in the body. Free radicals have also been linked to illnesses such as diabetes and cancer.
That might make it sound like free radicals are a bunch of freeloaders who take without giving. However, free radicals are also used by immune cells to fight infections.
So, free radicals can be a big help, but they shouldn’t be allowed to build up and outnumber antioxidants. Otherwise, it can also lead to oxidative stress, just as with ROS.
While antioxidants are essential to maintain good health, you can absorb a rich variety of them with a healthy, well-balanced diet full of fruit, vegetables, and legumes.
If you have a loved one who needs a little help, contact EJAI Loves Homecare in Florida to discuss their in-home care service. The team is ready to take your call and go through the options to give your loved one the assistance they deserve to stay in their own home. Greater independence, lower cost.
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