What's the Deal With Antioxidants?

What does it mean to have food with anti-oxidants in it? What kind of health benefits do these have? Which foods should I look out for in the grocery store?

Well, the short answer is that foods that are green have the most antioxidants. And antioxidants are your best friend! Why? Because they slow down aging, stop you from getting chronic illness and even prevent wrinkles! Yes even wrinkles — its true! So instead of buying all those expensive face creams, save your skin by eating more foods with antioxidants — especially dark green vegetables!

So, what exactly are antioxidants? Well, are you ready? Here is the longer answer: They are molecules that come from nature, which neutralize free-radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the "electron-stealing" behavior of the free-radicals. The antioxidant nutrients themselves don't become free-radicals in the process of donating an electron because they are stable in either form. They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease.

There are two categories of antioxidants: water soluble, such as Vitamin C, and fat soluble, such as vitamins A and E.

Vitamin C is the most abundant water-soluble antioxidant in the body.  The best food sources for this are fruits, berries, guavas and peppers.

Vitamin A and Beta Carotene (vegetable form of vitamin A) are fat soluble vitamins that are necessary to keep our cell membranes healthy. You should always try to get your vitamin A and beta carotene by eating real food because your body absorbs and utilizes the vitamins in food much better than supplements! The food sources richest in vitamin A are liver, cod liver oil, egg yolks, and dark leafy. Deep orange vegetables, such as carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and squash are also good sources of beta carotene. 

Vitamin E (d-alpha tocopherol) is the most abundant fat-soluble antioxidant in the body and is one of the most efficient antioxidants available. It is also a primary defender against fat oxidation. Food sources of Vitamin E include nuts, some seeds, peas and wheat germ.

So why is this important? Many things, including smoking, drinking alcohol, high-fat diets, exposure to sun and atmospheric pollution, cause our bodies to produce an excess of free radicals and when the number of free radicals outnumber the antioxidants stored in our body, they behave like a bull in a china shop, deactivating enzymes, stealing atoms and causing massive cellular death and even DNA damage. These processes, (referred to as oxidation) are what causes inflammation, aging, cancer, heart disease and yes, even those unsightly wrinkles! So guys and gals, keep your fridge and your body stocked with antioxidant-rich fruits, leafy greens and vegetables and you will wow yourself and everyone else with your dewy skin and radiant health for years to come! Greens rock!

And hey, I do apologize that this was a lengthy response but you asked a GREAT question and you now have the equivalent of 6 months of nutrition knowledge! All in just 2 minutes! Cool!! So go celebrate by getting gorgeous with a fabulous salad and then dance the night away! You deserve it!!

All the best,
The Naughty Nutritionist