| Q&A: Antioxidants Explained |
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| Written by Diet Detective Editorial Staff | |
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Q: What are antioxidants and why do I need them? A: Our bodies produce substances called free radicals as byproducts of some of the many functions carried out. Free radicals can attack and damage healthy cells. These damaged cells then become more susceptible to diseases such as cancer. Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and carotenoids help to protect our body cells from the damage caused by free radicals and therefore may help in the prevention of some diseases.Antioxidants can be found in most fruits and vegetables. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to try to consume 5 servings of fruits and vegetables daily. Good sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits such as oranges, tomatoes, strawberries, and green peppers. Vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, green leafy vegetables, and whole-grains. Bright colors are a clue that a food is high in carotenoids. Red, orange, and yellow vegetables, as well as some dark-green leafy vegetables, are good sources. Examples include peppers, broccoli, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, and carrots. Here are some tips for increasing your consumption of antioxidants: Mix it up! Choose a variety of fruits and vegetables. Each one contains different nutrients, so it's important to add variety to your daily meals. Keep it colorful! Try to include as many colors on your plate as possible, since different colors represent different antioxidants. Build up gradually. You can't expect to go from eating no fruits and vegetables to eating 5 servings tomorrow. Try to add one extra serving every few days until you reach the goal of 5 a day. Be creative! Fruits and vegetables do not have to be boring. Add extra vegetables to your favorite dish, blend a smoothie or throw some fruit in your cereal. It all adds up! |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 08 July 2006 ) |
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