Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Powerful Effect Of Antioxidants On Your Fitness

By Tony K Graham

Even though our physical processes need oxygen, the expenditure of oxygen in our bodies causes oxidative damage. Free radicals are formed when our bodies employ oxygen. A free radical is a molecule that is absent one or more electrons. This makes the molecule vastly unstable and it can cause many troubles in our bodies. Antioxidants are nutrients that are found in food that are identified to slow or even check the effects of oxidative damage.

An antioxidant will come in and stick to a free radical by donating the missing electron. Most of the nourishing foods found in nature are plentiful in antioxidants and including these foods in your diet can improve your immune system and help to inhibit disease such as heart disease and cancer and other problems usually associated with aging.

Berries are some of the maximum antioxidant foods in the world. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and grapes and cherries are all very high in antioxidants. Food is calculated for antioxidant power by what is called the ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity scale. All of the berries have a very high ORAC level but the tangible food that has the highest ORAC level is the acai berry. There are a few items that rank above the acai berry on the ORAC scale such as ground cloves and ground cinnamon but none are truly foods but instead spices and such. The acai berry surpasses every other actual food.

Other fruits that are high on the ORAC scale consist of citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes and the majority of the more tropical fruits like kiwi, mango and papaya. Apples, pears, plums, apricots and peaches are also outstanding sources of antioxidants.

Many of the familiar vegetables are exceedingly elevated in antioxidants. Spinach, Kale, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and other greens are exceptional, along with the cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

The orange foods are extraordinary in beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. Pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash provide ample amounts of this very important nutrient. Beta-carotene is best provided by diet as supplements have been found to cause troubles, especially in smokers.

By consuming a colorful diet you will be sure to obtain an profuse supply of antioxidants. Most of the bright and colorful foods found in nature are loaded in antioxidants. Berries are deep purple and red. Pumpkins and carrots are brilliant orange. Spinach and broccoli are deep green. Tomatoes and watermelon are red. Color is a big indication to antioxidant power.

Research continues on antioxidants but it is showing ever more benefits for our wellbeing. Superior immune function can inhibit disease like cancers and heart disease and also avert common ailments connected with aging such as macular degeneration and Alzheimer's disease.

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