Top 8 Benefits of Antioxidants That Will Surprise You

Introduction

 

Do you know, what are antioxidants? What about free radicals? How to prevent free radical damage? What are the benefits of antioxidants? Which are antioxidant-rich foods?

Antioxidants Benefits

Ok! Don’t be confused. We will help you to know everything about antioxidants, their health benefits, free radicals, and many more.

Our body is in a constant battle every day against viruses, bacteria, infections, diseases, even against the formation of free radicals.

Free radicals are the natural part of the body’s metabolism. They are normally present in the body. But they produce toxicity and create problems when the balance of free radicals is lost.

The most important benefit of antioxidants is scavenging free radicals as well as prevent their harmful activities.

Chemically free radicals are molecular species, or a single molecule that contains one or more unpair electron, and can exist independently.

The harmful free radicals in the human body are mainly oxygen derivatives*

On the other hand, free radicals are highly oxidative, attacks good biomolecules, and damage them. In an imbalanced concentration, they are highly toxic.

The oxidative free radicals damage tissues, DNA, brain cells, which known as oxidative stress (or oxidative damage).

However, preventing oxidative damages, and scavenging the toxic free radicals, our body uses antioxidants as a secret weapon.

 

*Oxygen-derived free radicals two types: 1) Containing unpaired electron, such as hydroxyl ion (OH^-), superoxide ion (O₂^-), ester ion (ROO^-), etc.

2) Reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as hypochlorous acid (HOCL), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), etc.

 

 

What are Antioxidants?

 

Antioxidants are free radical scavengers that combat the toxic effects and protect our body from oxidative stress.

They are also natural parts of the body, but when an unhealthy diet (rich in junk foods, cigarette smoking, alcohol abuse), and environmental pollutions produce excess free radicals, then the body needs more antioxidants from outer sources.

We can easily consume antioxidants foods as well as antioxidants supplements to protect our health from damages.

 

Types of Antioxidants

The types of antioxidants and their functions are quite important.

Generally, they present in nature in the three forms, such as enzymes, vitamins, and phytochemicals.

Enzymatic antioxidants come from proteins and a mineral-rich diet. They break down free radicals, remove them, and fight against oxidative cell damage.

In the case of vitamin antioxidants, our body cannot produce vitamins. So, we have to depend on a healthy diet. The vitamins act as antioxidants is vitamin-A, C, E, and folic acid.

Plants use some phytochemicals as an antioxidant to protect themselves from free radicals. Studies found that those phytochemicals act as natural antioxidant sources to humans.

We can get the benefits of antioxidants from flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, etc. as plant sources.

β-carotene is a common and most potent phytochemical to protect against free radical damages.

The antioxidants example that comes from outside our body is vitamin-A, C, E, carotene, lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, manganese, selenium, etc.

 

 

Health Benefits of Antioxidants

 

The antioxidants benefits are quite popular and well researched.

From the heart to the brain, preventing cancer to boosting immunity, improving eye health to maintain healthy skin, they provide numerous benefits.

So, let’s explore them.

 

i. Antioxidants and Cancer Prevention

Cancer is the most common, and dangerous health issue in the 21^st century.

According to the scientific study, antioxidants have been shown to prevent cancer development that has been associated with free radical damage.

Antioxidants Prevent Cancer

They prevent oxidative damage of DNA and protect us from a gene mutation. Gene mutation is responsible for triggering various types of cancer.

On the other hand, the benefits of antioxidants also present during the treatment of cancer.

The supplementation of antioxidants can be used in cancer treatment to enhance the ability to fight against oxidative stress, and inflammation.

Researches show that the natural antioxidant status of our body decline during cancer treatment. So, antioxidants foods may be needed during chemotherapy.

 

ii. Antioxidants Protect the Heart

Another important benefit of antioxidants protects the heart by preventing vascular diseases.

The antioxidants, such as vitamin C, selenium have powerful cardioprotective nature.

It has been found that adequate amounts of vitamin C intake can cut the risk of stroke by up to 50%.

Antioxidants & Healthy Heart

They also reduce inflammation in the heart muscle and maintain a healthy heart.

There are hundreds of studies shows that intake of a plant-based diet loaded with natural antioxidants can protect our heart significantly.

So, keep in mind the antioxidants benefits, and incorporate fruits as well as veggies in your regular diet.

 

iii. Antioxidants Protect Our Brain

Protecting our brain from neurodegenerative diseases is a significant benefit of antioxidants.

Most brain diseases are linked to oxidative damage, which can be prevented, and improved with a higher intake of antioxidants.

Antioxidants Improve Brain Health

On the other hand, they have been found to improve memory and reduce the risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, etc.

Vitamin-C, E, and the minerals selenium, zinc has been shown to function as natural antidepressants, and reduce mental stress.

They also work as a mediator in the central nervous system (CNS) and boost cognitive health.

 

iv. Antioxidants Enhance Immunity

In a lower amount, free radicals are the natural parts of our body’s metabolism.

But, when the amount crosses the normal level, they harm our health in different ways.

Free radicals damage the defense system of the body, results in decreasing immunity.

Antioxidants neutralize these harmful radicals and boost our immune system.

 

v. Antioxidants Improve Eye Health

Antioxidants play a significant role in improving eye health as well as maintaining eyesight.

The antioxidant-rich foods may prevent the progression, and even reverse age-related macular degeneration, and other vision problems.

Antioxidants Protect Eyes

On the other hand, phytochemicals lutein, and zeaxanthin also prevent cataract, macular degeneration both.

Additionally, β-carotene nourishes and protects the retina, and prevents night blindness.

 

vi. Antioxidant Protect Our Skin

The UV exposure throughout the day generates free radicals in the body, which responsible for inflammation, and damage in the skin tissues. Here are the benefits of antioxidants.

They produce anti-inflammatory effects by increasing blood circulation, and oxygenation in the skin cells.

By reducing inflammation, antioxidants also promote more skin tone and help to keep acne as well as wrinkles away.

Additionally, they encourage the growth of new cells and fix the damages that arise from UV exposure.  

 

Antioxidants & Healthy Skin

vii. Antioxidants Delay Aging

Do you want to stay young for a long time? Then add significant amounts of antioxidants to your regular diet.

The benefits of antioxidants on skin are quite popular in the beauty world.

They neutralize the harmful activities of free radicals, limiting the internal deterioration of the skin, and prevent the signs of aging.

Antioxidants also minimize wrinkles and preserve the beautiful texture of our face.

Additionally, they protect our skin from harmful UV rays and reduce susceptibility to sun damage.

 

viii. Antioxidants Strengthen Hair

Dietary antioxidants also improve hair health and may treat nutritional deficiencies.

They protect delicate hair follicles and prevent hair fall caused by oxidative stress.

 

Antioxidants Strengthen Hair

 

Side Effects of Antioxidants

 

Are you surprised to listen about the side effects of antioxidants? No need to be surprised.

Dietary intake of antioxidants is important for good health, but excess is not better.

Besides, the benefits of antioxidants, some side effects are also present. But the side effects exert only in supplementation.

Excess amounts of isolated antioxidants consumption may produce toxic effects, instead of preventing damage.

According to some studies, a higher dose of supplements increases the risk of death. Because excessive intake of antioxidants supplements acts as a pro-oxidant and causes higher cell damage.

Antioxidant Supplements

On the other hand, supplementation may lose the host selectivity, and protect cancerous cells also.

Other general side effects are nausea, vomiting, headache, etc.

So, eating plant-based antioxidant-rich foods is a much better, and safe idea.

However, low-dose supplements of antioxidants, such as multivitamins are beneficial in some cases of nutritional deficiencies.

 

 

Now, The Conclusion

 

So, the benefits as well as side effects of antioxidants we learned in detail.

Antioxidants are the secret weapon of our body to prevent harmful free radicals and maintain proper health.

They prevent cancer, protect the heart, and eyes, nourish skin cells as well as delay aging.

The isolated antioxidants are available in supplement form, but try to stick with natural food sources.

A healthy diet full of fruits, coloring veggies, and nuts are the most effective as well as safe way to consume antioxidants.

Some common antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies are berries, kale, spinach, red cabbage, broccoli, artichoke, beans, beetroots, carrots, pomegranate, avocado, dark chocolate, etc.

Antioxidant-rich foods

Due to some side effects, it is better to avoid supplements, and stay focus on natural food sources.

If anyone really wants to take supplements, then a physician should be consulted. Self-medication strictly prohibited.

 

Thank You.

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