Natural Antioxidants - Must Have Foods To Stay Healthy

A large number of medical specialists are suggesting veggies and fruits to be included in a regular diet plan. There are lots of great reasons to the suggestion; however one of the reasons is antioxidants that many fruits and veggies supply. What are antioxidants? What makes them so important?

Process of oxidation exists all around us from slice of pear turning brown to rust on a piece of metal. This is a natural activity which also happens inside a body. Our body normally works with oxidation well, but at times it leads to cell damage. The damaged cells are known as free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electron. Since it is unpaired, it will try to steal an electron from another molecule. Whenever this activity gets extreme, it can cause a lot of health hazards most notably cancer, heart problems and arthritis. Cigarette smoke, pollution and radiation lead to the growth of free radicals as well. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals.



By providing an electron to free radicals, antioxidants prevent cell damage. It is necessary to consume healthy foods that provide antioxidants on a regular basis to remain healthy. Many fruits and vegetables are a wonderful supply of antioxidants because of vitamins C and E. These vitamins are known to be among the best antioxidants. Vegetables and fruits such as strawberry, kiwi, papaya, spinach, bell pepper, and broccoli are the ideal source of vitamin C and E. However these vitamins are not the sole supply of antioxidants and in reality they are certainly not the utmost source.

More and more health professionals agree with the fact that Epigallocatechin or generally known as EGCG could be a more powerful source of antioxidants compared to vitamins C and E. Numerous scientists agree that EGCG is 100 times more efficient than vitamin C and 25 times more effective compared to vitamin E in protecting against free radicals. EGCG is a compound included in green tea extract. Many of the acknowledged green tea extract benefits are preventions against depressive disorders, heart disease, cancer, fat gain and LDL cholesterol.

There have been a lot of laboratory examinations with regards to the impacts of green tea on cancer cells. The end results indicate the serving of 300mg of EGCG daily to be the ideal amount. A cup of tea provides approximately 100mg of EGCG. Far more scientific studies are on the way, but as for right now 3 cups daily look like a good amount.

There are multiple ways to take in green tea. Conventional way is to make and to drink the tea. This really is good in particular when consumed while having a meal. Another popular way is to add green tea powder to drinking water. Combining lemon with EGCG has been known to improve the health benefits. More convenient way is to take tea tablets. This will work for people disliking the flavor.