I’ve always known that antioxidants are good for you … but was never really sure why. When I was in high school I used to think that antioxidants were chemicals found in food products that helped make your hair shinier or your brain healthier. However, when I went to college I learned that the term “antioxidant” means exactly what it sounds like … “anti”- opposed to; against; preventing; inhibits … “oxidant”- an oxidizing agent.

Ergo, an antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation; prevents oxidation products; fights against oxidizing agents. But what does this mean? What’s in it for us???

The oxidizing agents in this case are known as free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or compounds with an odd number of electrons, making them very unstable compounds and consequently very reactive in the body. They attack molecules quite readily and essentially “steal” an electron. This in turn stabilizes the free radical but consequently forms another free radical causing a domino effect.

Free radicals can come from basic metabolism and other bodily functions. But no worries, our body knows how to handle them. However, many environmental factors including pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, pesticides, and other toxins are increasing the production of free radicals. And an excess of free radicals can cause cell and tissue damage.

Furthermore, free radicals can bind to DNA; which if replicated can cause a DNA mutation and ultimately cancer. Other free radical cellular and tissue damage can lead to aging and a variety of other diseases, including atherosclerosis, heart disease, and arthritis.

Antioxidants to the rescue!!!

Antioxidants prevent the domino effect by donating an electron to the free radical. The antioxidant itself does not become a free radical after it has donated an electron because it is stable in either form. Thus, antioxidants prevent and repair cells from damage caused by free radicals.

So now that we know what antioxidants do…where can we find them???

Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients such as; anthocyanins, flavonoids, lutein, lycopene, catechins, selenium, coenzyme Q10, and vitamins C, E, and A. Here are some examples:

Beta-carotene (precursor for Vitamin A) and other carotenoids found in carrots, pumpkin, watermelon, tomatoes, peaches, apricots, cantaloupe, pink grapefruit, kale, mangoes, squash, spinach, sweet potato, broccoli, asparagus, tangerines, egg yolk, milk,  butter, etc.

Vitamin C found in kiwi, sweet potato, strawberries and other berries, tomatoes, snow peas, peppers, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, cauliflower, grapefruit, honeydew, cantaloupe, broccoli, kale, papaya, etc.

Vitamin E found in nuts, seeds, fish oil, whole grains, broccoli, carrots, turnip greens, mangoes, nuts, spinach, sunflower seeds, papaya, pumpkin, red pepper, avocado, etc.

Zinc found in oysters, red meat, poultry, beans, nuts, fish, whole grains, dairy, fortified cereals, etc.

Selenium (helps antioxidant enzyme system) found in Brazil nuts, tuna, fortified bread and cereals, beef, poultry, etc.

Other super foods that are rich in antioxidants include: prunes, apples, raisins, ALL berries, plums, red grapes, beans, eggplant (and other purple skin produce), onions, bananas, and alfalfa sprouts.

A Few Last Tips and Hints:

1. The riper the banana, the higher the antioxidants!

2. Add more color to your diet! Colorful fruits and veggies!

Get your smoothie on!!!! Simple Recipe: Ice, Strawberries, Carrots, and an Orange!  So yummy and high in antioxidants!