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A is for Antioxidants

By June 30, 2016May 9th, 2023Education
a is for antioxidants

What is an Antioxidant? Why is it important to include these in our diet? We hear that word thrown around quite a bit, but what does it actually mean? Let’s look at antioxidants and why you should look out for them.

Explaining antioxidants

Our body naturally produces free radicals. These free radicals can overproduce in numbers during times when we are stressed or unwell through a process called oxidative stress. If the number of free radicals outnumbers the antioxidants we have in our body they can cause some damage to our cells. Free radicals have been linked to some cancers and heart disease.

So basically antioxidants are the good guys, we need them in our diet to help fight these naturally occurring free radicals and look after our body cells. Vitamin A, C and E are antioxidants as well as copper, zinc & selenium. Therefore food sources high in these vitamins and minerals provide a great source of antioxidants.

Which foods are antioxidant foods?

leafy greens antioxidant foods

The following list is just some of the foods that are easy to include in your diet:

  • Blueberries, strawberries, oranges, pomegranate & kiwifruit
  • Leafy greens such as Spinach, Broccoli & Kale.
  • Sweet potato, carrots, pumpkin, tomatoes, cauliflower & eggplant
  • Green tea
  • Seafood, eggs, nuts & lean meat.

We’ll see you in a week for another Friday fact!

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