How Antioxidants Support Health & Longevity

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are beneficial compounds found in certain natural foods, such as fruit, vegetables, grasses, grains, etc., and even some animal products (such as fish oils). They help to defend your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules, known as free radicals.

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How do free radicals damage the body?

When free radicals accumulate in the body due to factors such as poor diet, exposure to pollution, stress, and many others, they can lead to what is known as oxidative stress. This has the potential to damage your DNA and other important structures in your cells.

Chronic oxidative stress, where your body is repeatedly exposed to high levels of free radicals, can increase your risk of diseases like heart disease, strain your immune system, lead to inflammation, and accelerate aging. Learn more about our immune-boosting products here, here to protect yourself from oxidative stress.

How are antioxidants good for health?

Fortunately, eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help your body neutralize these harmful free radicals. Naturally antioxidant-rich foods and supplements also tend to be alkalising, which can help reduce inflammation.

What are the best antioxidant foods?

Scientists use several methods to measure the antioxidant content of foods. One effective test is the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) analysis, which measures how well foods neutralize free radicals.

A higher FRAP value indicates more antioxidants.

Another method is the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) system, developed by scientists at the National Institute of Health and Aging (NIH). While the exact relationship between ORAC scores and health benefits isn’t fully established, foods with higher ORAC scores generally have greater antioxidant capacity.

Here are some of the most antioxidant-rich foods:

– Cloves
– Sumac
– Cinnamon
– Oregano
– Turmeric
– Acai berries
– Sorghum
– Cocoa
– Pecans
– Wheatgrass
– Blueberries
– Krill oil
– Artichokes
– Goji berries
– Kale
– Raspberries
– Beetroot
– Cherries
– Spinach

Eat the rainbow!

If you’re trying to incorporate more antioxidants into your diet, focus on foods naturally rich in color. The common phrase “eat the rainbow” is a good rule of thumb, as the pigments in these foods usually contain antioxidant compounds that benefit your health. Certain vitamins like vitamin C and E are also powerful antioxidants.

For a reliable daily source of antioxidants, browse our range of vitamin supplements.

External Resources
To learn more about the science behind antioxidants, check out this in-depth guide by the [National Institutes of Health (NIH)](https://www.nih.gov/).

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