All About Antioxidants And Free Radicals

When free radicals enter our bodies, they impose themselves on other molecules. Fortunately antioxidants are available to stop this unwelcome development, but our bodies can't manufacture sufficient antioxidants, and relies on plants to meet the requirement. In such a situation, it is easy to appreciate why it is imperative to carefully plan our diet, and ensure that we include ample antioxidant busting fruit and vegetables in our meals.

Unstable oxygen atoms are otherwise known as free radicals. You may remember, from your high school days, an atom has a nucleus constituted of protons and neutrons, round which electrons circulate. This is fine when the electrons are paired up, but troubles occur when an electron isn't paired, as is the case with unstable oxygen atoms. The free radicals rob balanced cells and initiate the sequence of events that is known as oxidation. If they are not effectively controlled serious chronic illnesses including heart conditions, and some cancers may develop. It is good to know that we have an array of antioxidants available to defend us against these awful illnesses.

Unfortunately, the hazard of free radicals is not solely from our diets, but also from environmental pollutants, such as exhaust emissions, tobacco smoke, and others. It is not possible to evade them altogether, although a sure way to guard yourself, is through an applied awareness of antioxidants. There are delicious fruits and vegetables, in abundance, to help your cause, but you have to make sure that you are getting enough, by thinking in terms of the top of the recommended intake, of 9 portions every day.

Fortuitously the majority of fruit and vegetables can supply antioxidants to a greater or lesser degree. If you include plenty of these in your daily food intake, you will be going the right way to prevent free radical damage. Though you probably would not consider fruit and vegetables as being natural medicine, that is precisely what they are, but they have an further benefit of being very tasty as well.

Among the best antioxidant foods available are wild American blueberries. So if you know of anywhere you can purchase some, or preferably, where to pick your own, don't hesitate in staking your claim! Don't be too concerned if blueberries are not available as the majority of other fruit and vegetables have substantial antioxidant content. You will have been reminded many times that a range of 5 - 9 servings of fruit and vegetables every day is what you should consume. Why not make it your personal plan to err towards eight or nine portions, and you will then be well down the road to a natural health, free radical busting lifestyle. Please visit our Web Site to ascertain which fruits and vegetables are the richest in antioxidants, and you could then find that they are among the most tasty foods available.