What Are Antioxidants And What To Expect From Them?

By Chad Williams


Many doctors are advising fruits and vegetables to be included in a daily diet plan. There are many beneficial reasons to the suggestion, but one of the reasons is antioxidants that many fruit and veggies offer. However exactly what are antioxidants? What makes them extremely important?

Process of oxidation occurs in all places from slice of banana turning brownish color to rust in a machine. This is a natural activity which also occurs in a human body. Our body system normally handles oxidation well, but at times it leads to cell damage. The damaged cells are called free radicals, molecules with unpaired electron. Since it is unpaired, it will attempt to take an electron from another molecule. Once this reaction becomes excessive, it can easily lead to quite a few health issues such as cancer, heart problems and arthritis. Pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke also are a factor in the growth of free radicals. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals.

By supplying an electron to free radicals, antioxidants avoid cell damage. It is important to consume meals that include antioxidants on a regular basis to be in good health. Various fruits and vegetables are a wonderful source of antioxidants because of vitamins C and E. These vitamins are acknowledged to be among the best antioxidants. Vegetables and fruits such as strawberry, kiwi, papaya, spinach, bell pepper, and broccoli are the ideal source of vitamin E and C. However these vitamins are not the sole source of antioxidants and in fact they are not the greatest source.

Increasingly more nutritionists agree Epigallocatechin or often known as EGCG is a stronger source of antioxidants than vitamins E and C. A large number of scientists agree that EGCG is 100 times more beneficial than vitamin C and 25 times more effective than vitamin E in eliminating free radicals. EGCG is a compound available in green tea extract. Many of the well-known green tea benefits are preventions against depressive disorders, heart problems, cancer, weight gain and bad cholesterol.

There were a large number of clinical examinations relating to the impacts of green tea on cancer cells. The end results indicate the dosage of 300mg of EGCG daily to be the best amount. A cup of tea offers about 100mg of EGCG. More case studies are on the way, however as for now 3 cups every day seems to be a safe amount.

There are quite a few ways to take green tea. Standard way is to make and to drink the tea. This is good way particularly if consumed while having meals. One additional preferred way is to combine tea powder with water. Mixing lemon with EGCG is actually recognized to multiply the health benefits. More convenient way is to have green tea capsules. This is perfect for people disliking the flavor.




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