Written By: Ruth Muhtsun



Antioxidants have become the latest health craze . Products from tea to face cream are touting the benefits of this word on glossy labels. You may have already noticed this word springing up in grocery aisles and vending machines, and asked yourself “What are antioxidants, and do I need them?”
 
The definition of an antioxidant is as long as the word itself...

For a second, imagine a sliced avocado sitting in the open air. The browning you will eventually see is a byproduct of oxidation, or chemical reactions occurring with oxygen molecules. Antioxidants are substances, like vitamin C, that decelerate oxidation reactions and aid in preservation. Every good cook knows to add lime juice to guacamole for flavor and to maintain the natural green color.

The same process that takes place with an avocado happens as well in the human body on a cellular level. The end results of this process can be seen on the surface by wrinkles and dull skin. Within the body, oxidation can cause inflammation, leading to heart, lung, and gastrointestinal diseases and cancers. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants, like adding lime to guacamole, helps the body in the fight against oxidation, inflammation, and aging.

In the marketplace three exotic fruits have dominated in antioxidant marketing, acai, goji, and manosteen. The people of Asia and South America have long known the benefits of this trio, like essential fatty acids, calcium, vitamin B and C. The goji berry has also been dubbed the happy fruit because it has been shown to stimulate production of serotonin and dopamine. However, food companies use these ingredients not only for their benefits, but it’s also a way to add a few cents and dollars to the price of their products.
 
Lucky for American consumers, antioxidants aren’t just found oceans away. Many homegrown and everyday staples contain high amounts of antioxidants. Eating several servings of these foods daily will do your body good on the inside and show on the outside. Below are the foods and drink The US Department of Agriculture advise are high in antioxidants:

*Apples
*Dark chocolate
*Dried plums
*Red wine
*Artichokes
*Pecans
*Blueberries
*Strawberries
*Spinach
 
Other foods to include in your diet include canned tomatoes, which contain lycopene, a signification antioxidant that helps defend against cancer and hardening of arteries. Also, onions have a great deal of vitamin B6, vitamin C, and fiber. The antioxidants in onions help sustain heart health and boost the immune system. Garlic too helps protect the heart by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure. Of course, don’t forget your fruits and vegetables, the more color the better. Everyday veggies and fruits like celery, oranges, and peas contain essential nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants. Seasoning your dishes with a little, or a lot, of pepper can increase your antioxidant intake. The chemical in pepper that give it it’s spice, capsaicin, guard against cancer and decrease inflammation.
 
So if you’re in the mood for a goji green tea or a glass of wine with your spring salad, go ahead and indulge. Because adding antioxidants to your daily diet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice the budget or step too far outside the box.
 





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Hine, Robert. "antioxidant." Science Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 9 Dec. 2010. www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE40&SID=5&iPin=FDBF0180&SingleRecord=True.
 

Palmer, Sharon. "Power up with hidden "superfoods". " Environmental Nutrition.  33.12 (Dec 2010): 1(2). Popular Magazines. Gale. Kansas City Public Library. 7 Dec. 2010
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Schmid, Wendy. "Can superfoods reverse aging? Why putting them on your plate--and your face--may make you younger. " Harper's Bazaar.  3586 (Oct 2010): 256(1). Popular Magazines. Gale. Kansas City Public Library. 7 Dec. 2010
http://find.galegroup.com.proxy.kclibrary.org/gtx/infomark.do?&contentSet=IAC-Documents&type=retrieve&tabID=T003&prodId=PPPM&docId=A239202141&source=gale&userGroupName=morenetkcpl&version=1.0