Antioxidants

Posted on by Carolina C Simon

Antioxidants
Science began to better understand the importance of antioxidants in 1990 when scientists discovered that free radicals were involved in the early stages of atherosclerosis, cancer and other chronic conditions. Some studies have shown that people with a low intake of fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants were at greater risk of developing these chronic conditions when compared to people with a good intake of these substances. A very important detail: supplementation does not have the same beneficial effect as the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants. That's because antioxidants work in combination with other nutrients, phytochemicals and even other antioxidants. For example, a cup of fresh strawberries contains about 80 mg of vitamin C, which has high antioxidant activity. Due to phytochemicals (polyphenols) naturally found in strawberries, such as proanthocyanins and flavonoids, which are also antioxidants and can be added to vitamin C promoting better absorption and effectiveness. A supplement containing 500 mg of vitamin C (667% of the RDA) does not contain this vital combination of substances. So people, the solution is always to include fresh, leafy fruits and vegetables in your routine. Clogging up with supplements is not going to be the key to preventing diseases or treating them. Look for a nutritionist to balance your nutrient intake and review your supplementation. References: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Antioxidants: In Depth. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants/introduction.htm

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