When you eat right, you are more likely to feel right. The importance of good nutrition cannot be over emphasized. We want to help you make wise food choices, and find foods that are not only convenient but smell good, taste good, and help you feel good.
People can avoid disease, experience more energy and better memory all through the nutrition choices they make.
- Start now. Don’t wait until a medical crisis, such as cancer, diabetes, or a heart attack forces you to really understand the importance of nutrition. You don’t have to almost die to keep yourself from dying prematurely.
- Be passionate. Have you ever believed in a cause so much that is consumes every free moment? Believe in your body and your need to feed it right.
- Know your nutrition.The more you know about the importance of nutrition, the better the good food will taste. Increasing your knowledge on the importance of good nutrition will make healthy foods more appealing to you, not only because of the taste but also because of their nutritional content. It’s fun to eat when you truly understand what you’re putting into your body.
- Change your mind-set about food.Think of food as medicine – the best preventative pill you’ll ever swallow, and a tasty one at that. “Health foods” are not about self-denial but rather about the promise of enjoying good health.
TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ANTIOXIDANTS!
Which of the following statements about antioxidants is FALSE?
- A. Health benefits of antioxidants protect us from environmental toxins.
- B. Antioxidants neutralize damage caused by free radicals.
- C. Antioxidants are important vitamins and minerals.
- D. Antioxidants are a natural by-product of body function.
Answer: The correct answer is D: Antioxidants are a natural by-product of body function.
UNDERSTANDING ANTIOXIDANTS
The health benefits of antioxidants help protect healthy cells from damage. Important vitamins like Vitamin C and E, as well as minerals like zinc, beta-carotene, manganese, and selenium are all antioxidants. Antioxidants act as the “bricks” that make up the “wall” of our immune system.
The health benefits of antioxidants help protect us from environmental toxins that we are exposed to every day. Antioxidants act like scavengers in the body, wiping out free-radicals, therefore minimizing the damage to your body’s cells. What are free-radicals? Free radicals are a group of chemical substances that steal electrons from neighboring molecules thereby altering that molecule’s structure or function. When the damage by the free radicals continues for a long time, it may increase the likelihood of diseases like cancer and age-related eye disease. Cigarette smoke and even our food and water can harbor free radicals in the form of pesticides and other toxins. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol also triggers substantial free radical production.
Studies show that those who have diets rich in antioxidants and/or take antioxidant supplements are less likely to suffer the effects of free radicals. Even smokers with a high antioxidant intake are less likely to develop lung cancer. The best way to get the health benefits of antioxidants is to eat foods high in antioxidants. The richest sources of antioxidants are found in what we call “phytofoods.”
Phyto-foods are high in phytonutrients. The word “Phyto” means “plant” and the word “nutrients” means vitamins and minerals, so phytonutrients are vitamins and minerals from plants.
You can help to combat the effect of free radicals by choosing foods that are rich in antioxidants.
Try These Superior Antioxidant Superfoods
- Berries
- Wild Salmon
- Sweet Potatoes
- Dark Green Veggies
- Garlic
- Beets
- Green Tea
- Fresh Herbs
- Kidney Beans
- Dark Chocolate
Sources
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- Sears, W., & Sears, M. (2010). Prime-time health: A scientifically proven plan for feeling young and living longer. New York: Little, Brown and Co.
- https://draxe.com/top-10-high-antioxidant-foods/