Antioxidants are an important benefit of eating fruits and veggies. Here’s what antioxidants can do for you and the big benefits of fighting free radicals.
Antioxidants help your body fight battles every single day from stressors like disease, air pollution, and UV rays.
But how do you make sure you get antioxidants? And what do they actually do? Here are the deets on antioxidants.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent or slow down cell damage caused by free radicals — unstable molecules your body creates naturally in response to everyday stresses.
You’ll find antioxidants in plant-based foods like fruits and veggies. You can even find them in chocolate, coffee, tea, and wine!
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Creative-Family/Getty ImagesStudies have shown that diets full of plant-powered antioxidant foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes may reduce the risk of chronic disease often associated with oxidative stress.
Remember free radicals? They actually lead to oxidative stress, which damages your DNA, protein, and lipids — causing the cell damage antioxidants are meant to fight.
Antioxidants also help strengthen the immune system, which means you’re better prepared to fight harmful infections (hello flu season and COVID-19).
But there just isn’t enough solid research to prove taking in a high amount of antioxidants will prevent cancer or other major chronic illnesses.
Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing? When it comes to antioxidant supplements, the answer is maybe.
Studies of high dose antioxidant supplements have yet to show any worthwhile success or benefits. In fact, some high dose antioxidants have proven harmful in certain populations.
Product integrity should also be taken into account when considering any supplement. While the FDA does regulate the supplement industry, manufacturers are in charge of testing for safety and marketing them correctly.
If you do decide to go down the supplement route, always check with your doctor first and be sure to choose a product that has been vetted by a third party organization like NSF International or the U.S. Pharmacopeia.
Antioxidants are good for your overall health and help you fight oxidative stress brought on by those pesky free radicals.
Including lots of whole foods into your daily routine is the best way to maximize your intake. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices are your BFF (best food friends).