The Greatest Health Benefit of Antioxidants

What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are one type of nutrients which help the body fight against the oxidative harm to the cells caused by free radicals (reactive oxygen species – which are usually a by-product of the body turning oxygen into energy). Free radicals are produced in many ways in today’s world especially when the body is exposed to pollutants, car exhaust, cigarette smoke, and other similar things.

Antioxidants are of many types, and these usually work best when complemented by other antioxidants (synergy of antioxidants). There are many examples of antioxidants – vitamin C, the tripeptide glutathione (an amino acid), and methionine are all examples of antioxidants.


Health Benefits

Antioxidants mostly protect the body from aging and aging-related diseases. There are three major health benefits of antioxidants and these are:

fights the damage caused by the free radicals
protects the cells from being damaged
prevents to a very large extent crippling diseases that usually come with aging

The above reasons will definitely highlight the importance of having plenty of antioxidants in our day-to-day diet as it makes the health benefits of antioxidants very apparent. Without the antioxidants, the cells ion our bodies would succumb to the aging process much faster and hence fast-forwarding degenerating diseases of organs and tissues, inviting early death.

The best way to enjoy the health benefits of antioxidants is to have plenty of antioxidant rich foods such as nuts, berries, fruits and green vegetables, so as to ensure that the body has sufficient ammunition to fight against cell damage, infections and free radicals caused by the millions of pollutants in the air today. You need to find out which food you enjoy the best that have a good amount of antioxidants, and make it a habit of consuming a sufficient amount daily.

Besides the above described health benefits of antioxidants you have a bonus. Antioxidants also slow down aging. Hence, those who have a rich antioxidant diet, will also slow down the majority of aging signs such as wrinkles, loose skin, etc. This is one advantage that comes as a by-product and one on which most women capitalize greatly. This is why today most of the cosmetics have antioxidants added to it, so as to maintain the suppleness of the facial skin and fight wrinkles. Hence, antioxidants not only keep you healthy, but also beautiful and safe from the ravages of aging.