Understanding The Importance Of Antioxidants

A lot of health specialists are advising veggies and fruits to be included in a daily diet regime. There are plenty of good reasons to the advice, but one of the reasons is antioxidants that most fruits and veggies supply. Just what are antioxidants? Why are they so important?

Process of oxidation occurs in every single place from slice of potato turning brownish color to rust in a machine. This is a normal activity which also exists in a body. Human body usually controls oxidation well, but at times it causes cell damage. The damaged cells are known as free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with unpaired electron. Because it is unpaired, it will attempt to take an electron from another molecule. Once this action gets intense, it may lead to numerous health problems most notably cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke are a factor in the growth of free radicals as well. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals.



By supplying an electron to free radicals, antioxidants prevent cell damage. It is important to consume healthy foods that provide antioxidants every day to be in good health. Most fruit and veggies make the perfect source of antioxidants because of vitamins E and C. Vitamins are acknowledged to be one of the best antioxidants. Fruits and vegetables such as strawberry, kiwi, papaya, spinach, bell pepper, and broccoli are a wonderful source of vitamin C and E. But these vitamins are not the sole supply of antioxidants and actually they are certainly not the most effective source.

An increasing number of health professionals agree with the fact that Epigallocatechin or also known as EGCG may be a much stronger supply of antioxidants than vitamins C and E. Most research workers agree that EGCG is 100 times more efficient than vitamin C and 25 times more efficient compared to vitamin E in protecting against free radicals. EGCG is an element available in green tea extract. A number of the identified green tea health benefits include preventions against bad cholesterol, depression, heart disease, cancer and fat gain.

There have been numerous clinical examinations about the impacts of green tea on cancer cells. The final results reveal the dosage of 300mg of EGCG on a daily basis to be the most ideal amount. A cup of tea contains about 100mg of EGCG. A lot more experiments are in the process, however for right now 3 cups daily appears to be a safe amount.

Currently there are a variety of ways to take green tea. Common way is to make and to drink the hot tea. This really is good in particular when consumed with food. One other common way is to combine tea powder with water. Mixing citrus juice with EGCG has been known to improve the health benefits. More convenient way is to take tea pills. This is perfect for people disliking the flavor.