The A to Z of Antioxidant Food

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How To Get Antioxidants In Food
By Elizabeth Penning

A key component in most fruits and vegetables are a kind of nutrient that works with the body to fend off free radicals, which are unstable molecules within the body. They are unstable because they are missing an electron and attempt to compensate by taking an electron from its neighbor. These damaging agents are caused by poor diet as well as the environment. Pollution and cigarette smoking are major contributors to the problem. The antioxidants in foods like raisins, onions, oranges, spinach, and a multitude of other foods work to counteract the damaging effects of free radicals.

These free radical particles are thought to be responsible for many kinds of cancer in both children and adults. Although there may also be a genetic component, free radicals promote the growth of cancer cells. Therefore, it follows that eliminating them from your diet and counteracting what remains by maintaining a diet rich in foods with antioxidants are positive steps toward the prevention of cancer. Many scientific studies have confirmed the positive effect of a healthy diet in the fight against cancer and other diseases.

What If I Don’t Like Fruits Or Vegetables?

Not everyone has a diet quite as healthy as it should be. Many people don’t like fruits and vegetables and, as a result, may miss out on the valuable antioxidants in foods such as these. Distaste for these foods may start in childhood but follow them through adolescence and into their adult years. Unlike in childhood, however, adults are not forced to eat their vegetables and are free to choose for themselves. They opt for menu choices that lack essential nutrients instead. However, antioxidants in food like dark chocolate, which is rich in flavonoids as well, may serve to partially bridge the nutritional gap.

Dark chocolate has been shown to have a positive effect on the emotional as well as physical health of an individual when eaten in moderation. If chocolate is not your thing, and you can’t seem to get your daily dose of antioxidants in food, green tea offers a possible alternative. In addition, green tea also contains EGCG, which may aid in weight loss to a small degree. Since overweight individuals are more prone to a host of medical ailments, anything that can help progress toward a healthy weight is beneficial. An overall healthy individual stands a better chance against of surviving even if they do get cancer, because they will be strong enough to withstand treatment.

Author Details:
Elizabeth Penning, copywriter for various websites including, Natural Deodorant and The A to Z of with her main interests being holistic medicine and all things natural.

Article Source: Top Health Articles

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