What Are Antioxidants And Why Are They Important?

By Tom Nelson


A large number of medical specialists are advocating fruits and veggies as part of a daily diet plan. There are lots of excellent reasons to the suggestion; however one of the reasons would be the antioxidants that nearly all veggies and fruits supply. What exactly are antioxidants? Why are they extremely important?

Oxidation process happens in every single place from slice of potato turning brown to rust in a machine. It is a common process that also exists inside a body. Human body generally handles oxidation well, but occasionally it results in cell damage. The damaged cells are referred to as free radicals. They are molecules with unpaired electron. Due to the fact it is unpaired, it will attempt to take an electron from other molecules. When this action becomes intense, it can cause a number of medical problems which include cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Cigarette smoke, pollution and radiation also add up to the development of free radicals. Antioxidants are compounds that counteract free radicals.

By providing the missing electron to free radicals, antioxidants protect against cell damage. It is vital to take food items that include antioxidants daily to be in a healthy condition. A lot of fruits and vegetables are a fantastic source of antioxidants thanks to vitamins E and C. Vitamins are known to be one of the best antioxidants. Vegetables and fruits like strawberry, kiwi, papaya, spinach, bell pepper, and broccoli are a fantastic supply of vitamin C and E. But these vitamins are not the only supply of antioxidants and actually they are not the utmost source.

An increasing number of dieticians agree Epigallocatechin or often called EGCG may be a more powerful supply of antioxidants compared to vitamins C and E. Many researchers agree that EGCG is 100 times more beneficial than vitamin C and 25 times more efficient than vitamin E in eliminating free radicals. EGCG is a compound found in green tea extract. Several of the known green tea extract health benefits include preventions against bad cholesterol, depression, heart disease, cancer and gaining weight.

There have been numerous lab tests with regards to the effects of green tea on cancer cells. The final results show the serving of 300mg of EGCG a day to be the best amount. A cup of tea offers close to 100mg of EGCG. Additional case studies are on the way, but for right now 3 cups per day is a good amount.

At this time there are a number of methods to take in green tea. Common way is to brew and to drink the tea. This is great way particularly when consumed while eating meals. One additional preferred way is to add green tea powder to water. Blending citrus juice with EGCG has been known to maximize the health benefits. A convenient way is to consume green tea capsules. This will work for folks disliking the flavor.




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