Antioxidants and all their added benefits are all the rage today. Cell damage and cancer are causes of free radicals, but amazingly antioxidants can help neutralize these risks. Antioxidants are everywhere, but no matter where you go blueberries seems to be the only choice. Not only are blueberries one of the most popular antioxidants today, but so is pomegranate and cranberry. But, in our rush to embrace the latest antioxidant food craze (blueberries, cranberries, pomegranates) we’re ignoring some very high-antioxidant foods that are probably sitting ignored in our cupboards. Here is an essential weight loss tip for you; instead of the beloved wild blueberry try the small red bean!
What is the important of eating foods naturally high in antioxidants? Scientists have found that the body forms unstable oxygen molecules (free radicals) that antioxidants can help neutralize.
An atom with an odd number of electrons is called a free radical. Since electrons have a very strong tendency to exist in a paired rather than an unpaired state, free radicals indiscriminately pick up electrons from other atoms, which in turn convert those other atoms into secondary free radicals, thus setting up a chain reaction, which can cause substantial biological damage. Free radicals, in short, are bad. There are many different kinds of free radicals that were are exposed to everyday, for example - pollution, radiation, cigarette smoke, and herbicides.
You should not restrict yourself to one particular food source because there are so many common foods high in antioxidants. Why? Well, have you ever heard the expression, “eat your colors?” That refers to the fact that foods are in different color “families” containing different types of antioxidants which have different benefits. The yellow-orange color family including peaches and nectarines offer an immune system boost. The purple-red color family of foods (pomegranates, plums, berries) help reduce inflammation. To reap the full benefits of antioxidants it is important to eat foods from all color groups.
You can eat food high in antioxidants (by eating them raw, cooking them, or juicing them yourself) without having to pay a high price for the “flavor of the month” antioxidant juices found in grocery stores everywhere.
Make sure to give your blueberries some company at the dinner table tonight. Invite some beans, spinach, potatoes, and artichoke hearts onto your plate tonight and enjoy your antioxidants and your weight loss tip of the day!
About Me
- Burn Fat Alaska
- Dr. Cameron Kmet, D.C. has been in private practice offering holistic natural therapies for ten years in both Washington State and Alaska. He now deals exclusively in weight management, as owner of Burn Fat Alaska. The clinic offers customized, multi-faceted breakthrough systems to treat stubborn weight gain. Dr. Kmet’s mission is to “get Alaskans healthier, one pound at a time”.
No comments:
Post a Comment