{"id":19153,"date":"2021-04-13T07:51:19","date_gmt":"2021-04-13T05:51:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/?p=19153"},"modified":"2021-08-24T15:11:21","modified_gmt":"2021-08-24T13:11:21","slug":"what-are-antioxidants-and-why-do-we-need-them","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intimina.com\/blog\/what-are-antioxidants-and-why-do-we-need-them\/","title":{"rendered":"What are Antioxidants and Why Do We Need Them?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
This article was medically fact-checked by Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Dr. Shree Datta<\/a>.<\/em><\/p><\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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You\u2019ve probably heard the term \u201cantioxidants\u201d thrown around here and there, in regards to nutrition. But what exactly are antioxidants, how do they work in the body, why do we need them, and how do we get them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Free Radicals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Before understanding antioxidants, you have to know what free radicals are, and what effect they have on the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The body gets older, breaks down, and becomes more and more susceptible to environmental changes and toxins. Call it the cycle of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One of these changes is often due to free radicals<\/a>. You probably don\u2019t remember this from high school chemistry, but free radicals are essentially unstable molecular ions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oftentimes in the body, oxygen molecules will split up and become unstable free radicals, allowing them to interact with other molecules in the body. This can in turn subject the body to oxidative stress<\/a>, breaking cells down over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not all free radicals are bad. The body produces them naturally as a reaction to exercise or inflammation, and they help to maintain balance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Unfortunately, many people are exposed to excess free radicals from environmental toxins like pollution, pesticides, household chemicals, radiation, cigarette smoke, and alcohol. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While cell degeneration is a normal part of aging, free radicals can cause even more damage to cells. Scientists have connected free radicals<\/a> to diabetes, Alzheimers, cancer, Parkinson\u2019s disease, autoimmune disorders, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What About Antioxidants?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While there\u2019s no \u201ccure\u201d for free radicals, because they are a natural part of aging. There are ways to help negate or slow down the effect they have on the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Which is where antioxidants come in!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Antioxidants are exactly what they sound like, they help slow down the effects of free radicals and the aging process by preventing the oxidation of molecules. Antioxidants generously give electrons to free radicals, which helps to stabilize said free radicals. This doesn\u2019t however, cause the antioxidants to become unstable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They essentially help to cancel out the effects of free radicals, while repairing DNA and helping maintain cellular health. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, like many things in the scientific world, the effectiveness of antioxidants has not been widely backed up by data. While some studies<\/a> do support their effectiveness, others fall short. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That being said, it\u2019s helpful to avoid obvious causes of free radicals whenever possible. You can do this by opting for organic or minimally processed foods, avoiding chemicals in your cleaning supplies, and choosing chemical-free sustainable period products like a menstrual cup<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the jury may still be out on exactly how and if antioxidants are effective, it doesn\u2019t hurt to help incorporate them into your diet. Antioxidants for the most part come from nutrient rich, healthy foods, that are important to a healthy lifestyle overall. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Antioxidants come from other nutrients that you are well familiar with like Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta carotene, and minerals like manganese and selenium. Many foods are likely high in antioxidants because they serve a similar function as they do in the human body \u2013 to help prevent oxidation and protect against environmental toxins. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One cool that has been developed is the FRAP test, or Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma. This essentially measures the antioxidant power a particular food has, and how well they help to neutralize certain free radicals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This FRAP test has helped scientists and healthcare professionals make dietary recommendations to help best their clients against the effects of free radicals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
What Foods Are High In Antioxidants? <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
There\u2019s been a lot of science thrown at you in this article, so let\u2019s get down to basics. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you eat more antioxidants? Here are some delicious foods to reach for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n