Now You Know: Antioxidants

     We all hear about all these different things that we need in order to be healthy. We all hear about super foods, organics, you know the list goes on! As a person who is currently making a lot of life changes, and trying to live healthier, in general; I often find myself more curious about how things work. I've even been tempted on taking a few nutrition classes to better educate myself! I found myself browsing the internet for some information, and stumbled across something about antioxidants, so today I'd like to share with you my findings! :)

     In short, antioxidants are substances that are capable of counteracting the damaging, but normal, effects of the physiological process of oxidation in animal tissue. Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) as well as enzymes (proteins in your body that assist in chemical reactions). They are believed to play a role in preventing the development of such chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts. 

     I know this is long, and overwhelming, but in short, antioxidants contribute in our fight against life long diseases. At least, that's the only thing about antioxidants I need to know along with how they benefit us, and the best ways to intake them. A Free radicals can be bad for your health. Quite simply, free radicals are the bad guys that harm you, and antioxidants are the good guys that pro­tect you.

There are three different types of Antioxidants:
Carotenoids - special antioxidants that give fruits and veggies thier color. 

• over 600 kinds.
• prevent the formation of free radicals in the first place.
• starve cancers by preventing blood vessels from growing up to feed the cancer.

The top 3 ways to get Carotenoids are:

1. yellow squash, in taking 1 1/2 cups per week helps prevent lung cancer
2. carrots, in taking 1cup per day helps prevent kidney cancer
3. persimmons in taking 2 per day prevents stomach cancer

Flavonoids  

• protects the body indirectly; creating uric acid that neutralizes free radicals.
• prevents lung cancer.

The top 3 ways to get Flavonoids are: 

1. Red Cabbage - in taking 1/2 cup per day
2. Kumquats - in taking 2-3 per day
3. Raspberries - in taking 1/2 cup per day

Isothiocyanates 

• activate a self defense mechanism in our body; help cells produce more antioxidant enzymes that go out directly and intercept and help destroy free radicals.
• most are found in leafy green vegetables.
• help prevent ovarian cancer.

The top 3 ways to get Isothiocyanates are: 1 cup of raw veggies per day

1. Chicory
2. Swiss Chard
3. Parsley

      There are a few other small tips that are worth mentioning! Something as simple as how you make your tea can make a difference! By dunking your tea bag, instead of letting it sit, you actually release more antioxidants, than leaving it sitting in the bottom of the cup! Also, by adding lemon to your tea makes antioxidants more stable. Another thing you might be surprised to hear, roasting your peanuts is better for you than raw, for antioxidants, because roasting increases the antioxidant levels by 20% or more! We all know that eating veggies is good for us, but did you know that by combining tomatoes and broccoli you get more cancer fighting activity than either food alone! Additionally, boiling veggies destroys nutrients in veggies, always steam them instead! 

      I know that is alot of information to take in at once! Something as small as adding a few of these to your diet, is all I ask! We hope that as you do your laundry in your Azuma washer and dryer rental, or unload your groceries into your refrigerator rental, that you take these tips to heart. A healthier you means a happier life! :) Until next time, keep it clean!