The human body contains about 100 trillion cells. 10 billion of them get damaged and replaced each day as the normal process of growth and repair or due to destructive processes, such as the interaction with a pathogen or a free radical.
Free radicals are much needed by our immune system to combat microbial infections. However, their accumulation in cells lead to cell aging and death.
Antioxidants play the utmost important role in controlling the number of free radicals in the body, thus boosting our immune systems, protecting us from diseases, including cancer, heart diseases and diabetes.
Antioxidants are a huge group of substances that include Beta carotene, Lutein, Lycopene, Selenium, Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E. All of which are found in raw vegetables and fruits giving them their bright colors. So the more colorful your plate is the better — and not how colorful a pill might be.
Ever since the world of supplements has expanded, antioxidant pills have been marketed as anti-aging pills. However, recent studies have proved quite the opposite. Consuming too much antioxidants has no additional health benefits than consuming a healthy diet and might even be linked to premature death.
So, the bottom line is that a healthy diet is still your best way to go. And here’s how to find those superfoods rich in antioxidants: The easiest way is to go for bright colors.
Red fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, raspberries and red kidney beans are full of various kinds of antioxidants helpful in combating heart diseases and atheroscelerosis. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which is very helpful for men and their prostates.
Blue or purple fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, blackberries, plums, prunes, red cabbage and eggplant are rich in vitamin E, which helps protect the vitality of your skin and hair and combating cancerous cells.
Orange or yellow fruits and vegetables are famous for containing the beta carotenes that protect your eyes against diseases. Remember the carrots and the rabbit! Best sources are the nectarines, oranges, guavas, lemons and peaches. All off which are also rich sources of the vitamin C that is vital for the immune system and great for the skin.
Greens should be your bffs. Artichockes, broccoli and leafy greens, the darker the better, are rich in sulforaphane, an antioxidant that helps the body get rid of toxins, supports the immune system, and can even slow down tumors.
So there you have it: Add a bit of color to your plate and you won’t regret it.