Antioxidants are some of the most important substances you can have in your body. They help to fight free radicals in the body and they help to nourish bodily tissues and cells. Some of the most popular antioxidants are vitamins C & E, which help to remove oxidizing agents from living organisms, i.e. foods that you eat. But why are antioxidants so important?
The Standard American Diet (SAD) is replete with fat, sugar, and salt, all of which can affect blood sugar levels. They can also increase the amount of free radicals in the body. Let’s get one thing straight: Free radicals are not radically far out, man. Not all free radicals are damaging. In fact, the formation of free radicals helps to oxidize the nutrients in food into chemical energy.
The accumulation of free radicals, however, can affect our health. They can prevent cells from developing properly and they can even damage cell growth. Too many free radicals in the body can lead to cell mutation, which can lead to cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. To stop these free radicals from damaging the body, incorporate some of the following tips into your daily life.
#1: Avoid High Glycemic Foods
The holidays aren’t completely over, which means that rich foods that are high in carbs, sugars, and fat are still abundant. These foods promote the accumulation of free radicals in the body, so try to avoid them at all costs.
#2: Eat Antioxidant-Rich Foods
Antioxidants are the soldiers that fight free radicals in the body. Without getting into too much science, they help prevent cellular damage that free radicals cause. Berries, citrus fruit, green leafy veggies, sprouts, mangos, tomatoes, and cabbage are great foods that contain antioxidants. Any fruit, vegetable, nut, or seed that has vitamin A, C, or E, selenium, or phytonutrients is great to eat.
#3: Power Up With Superfoods
Superfoods are always changing with emerging health studies, but one thing is for sure: they are rich in nutrients and do a great deal for the body. Many superfoods have higher concentrations of vitamins or minerals than the average fruit or vegetable. Try eating blueberries, kale, spirulina, figs, oranges, beets, spinach, and pomegranates.
#4: Go Herbal
Many herbs have amazing health properties. Using fresh herbs to season your meals is one of the easiest ways to get them into your diet. Additionally, you can flavor dressings, brew teas, or even infuse herbs into olive oil. Go for turmeric, ginger, rosemary, Echinacea, oregano, parsley, mint, or ginseng.
#5: Make Tea Time A Priority
Take some time out of your day to relax with a warm cup of tea. Green tea is beneficial because it is rich in polyphenols, which can inhibit oxidative stress that is caused by free radicals.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
