There are dozens of buzz words on the internet that help us understand when something may be beneficial for our health. “Organic,” “Non-GMO,” “Superfood,” and “Antioxidant” are all commonly used in thousands of products worldwide! We may know that these words equal a more healthier option when shopping, but what makes them so special that we can denote their quality from a single label?
“Antioxidant” is the word for this week’s Wellness Wednesday feature, so we’re determined to uncover the most (un)popular reasons that antioxidants are truly beneficial for our lives and our health!
Next week, “non-GMO” will be the word featured on Wellness Wednesday.
an·ti·ox·i·dant
an(t)ēˈäksədənt,ˌanˌtīˈäksədənt/ - noun
a substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.
a substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in a living organism.
Typically, antioxidants are powerful cellular scouts, looking for any suspicious characters within our body. Damaged cells, deteriorated molecules, and foreign bodies are all suspect to the hard-working antioxidant. On a surface level, antioxidants work to stabilize free radicals-- the foreign invaders responsible for cellular aging and dysfunction.
Once a free radical and antioxidant meet, the antioxidant sacrifices itself to “kill off” the free radical-- essentially negating any further damage within your body.
Pro tip: Antioxidants are not a singular category of cell, they are compounds that create this exchange between free radicals. Any polyphenol or other antioxidant compound can be classified as an antioxidant!
When we think of antioxidant power, it’s normally assumed that any antioxidant will assist in preventing the spread of free radical damage in the body, right?
Wrong. Antioxidants are all different, behave uniquely, and each have their own threshold of power.
This study, dense and heavy, highlights the importance of understanding how an antioxidant can behave differently in different situations. In short, antioxidants have 6 categories (or “powers”) to offer to the playing field of human biology:
- Reparative: These antioxidants work to strengthen irregular cells that are missing a molecule by adhering and completing the cell.
- Metal Detoxing: These antioxidants are designed to assist in removing toxic metal free radicals from the body and assisting in their disposal.
- Buddy System: These powerful polyphenols work synergistic-ally with other antioxidants to encourage the process by which they neutralize free radicals.
#2 Antioxidants May Prevent Cancer
Radical headline alert! This may look like a suspicious “factoid” about our antioxidant friends, but it comes by heavily tracked scientific research. Free radicals, antioxidants nemesis, have been solidly linked to the progression of over 50 pathogenic disease states in humans like cancer and neurological decline.
By simply taking in more antioxidants, you are giving your body a chance to neutralize the damage that we take in, little by little, each day.
Free radicals come in many forms: food, pollution, metals in our water supply, toxic fumes from cleaning chemicals, and so much more. The key to avoiding disease states from damaging toxins is in antioxidant intake-- there’s no such thing as an antioxidant overdose!
#3 Exercise Requires Antioxidants
Wait, what?! You’re telling me that my rigorous exercise schedule isn't making me a completely healthy human?!
Not exactly. Exercise increases the amount of cellular damage in the body by oxidizing cells-- simply put, every time you breathe you are exposing cells to oxidative damage.
Pro tip: This may be why we are mortal-- oxygen gives us life and also slowly deteriorates our cells. ;)
Don't worry, the answer to your question is still "no!" Exercise is a very healthy way to increase your cardiovascular health and maintain a good balance of muscle tissue in the body. However, the act of exercising will increase the oxidative stress we create by simply breathing naturally.
Take small steps boost your antioxidant intake and counteract the minimal changes in free radical population within the body to ensure your exercise is both healthy and beneficial for every part of your body! Our favorites are:
- Goji berries, tart cherry juice, and noni juice in your smoothie! Any fruit will add antioxidants in your diet!
- Coffee is, not surprisingly, America's #1 source of antioxidants. Sip away and enjoy! (Unless you're in the 21 Day Detox.)
- Green and white teas contain enormous amounts of antioxidant properties for their small size. Sip 3 cups a day and you'll be on your way to antioxidant city!
Wow! This Wellness Wednesday was full of science and factoids that can win any trivia night! Did you already know one of our featured topics?
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