The health benefits of antioxidants are almost too many to list, but amongst the leading benefits are skin health and prevention from certain illnesses. Whether it’s from the food we eat, or through nutritional supplements, antioxidant benefits cannot be ignored!
All cells are subjected to damage through a process called oxidation. This is similar to the way in which a slice of fruit may go brown or discoloured when exposed to oxygen; these cells die. In order to combat this damage, antioxidants are vital.
Harmful particles, known as free radicals, are responsible for causing oxidative stress within the body. The body naturally produces free radicals, but they can also enter the body through other sources. When antioxidants are unavailable, or too many free radicals are in the body, oxidation can occur, which is damaging to the body.
Antioxidants can clear your mind
Free radicals enter the body from a variety of sources, such as through air pollution, cigarette smoke, and pesticides. Infections and even stress can also produce harmful free radical particles.
Oxidation occurs more readily in fat molecules, and so free radicals can attack the brain, which is rich in fatty acids. This can result in oxidative damage to the brain, meaning that many mental conditions are thought to be aided and abetted by free radical damage.
Antioxidants can help to clear your mind by fighting and preventing the effects of free radical damage to the brain, and therefore reduce the chances of degenerative mental conditions such as Alzheimer’s.
It has also been suggested that a diet high in antioxidants can help to combat the loss of brain function associated with aging.
Antioxidants can help your skin
Elsewhere in the body, free radicals can be responsible for damaging and breaking down collagen, which is the substance that gives skin its elasticity and suppleness. Antioxidants can help to deactivate these free radicals, and aid the repair of collagen.
Free radicals produced by external sources, such as air pollution or sun damage, can cause the speeding up of skin aging, which results in wrinkles and lines. Antioxidants can help to slow this process and to prevent further damage.
Preventative health benefits of antioxidants.
As well as working to reverse the effects of oxidative damage caused by free radicals, antioxidants can also help to prevent free radical damage from occurring at all.
Some of the other benefits of antioxidants are thought to include protecting against heart disease, lowering bad cholesterol, and boosting the immune system.
Key antioxidant supplements
- Selenium is one of the most popular antioxidants, and has been voted as the best antioxidant supplement by consumers. It is thought to help in the production of white blood cells that are important in the body for fighting infection and keeping the immune system in check. Simply Supplements Selenium also comes with the added benefits of vitamins A, C, and E, all of which are important in fighting free radical damage.
- Royal Jelly is a substance produced by worker bees to feed the Queen bee. It is an antioxidant that is believed to hold many health benefits, including skin and hair maintenance, lowering cholesterol, and immune system function, soroyal jelly supplements are popular.
- Grapeseed extract is another powerful antioxidant. Red grape seeds contain antioxidant bioflavonoids that help to fight and destroy harmful free-radical particles that cause damage to the cells. Grapeseed extracts are believed to help lower blood pressure and improve circulation.
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