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Antioxidants

antioxidants
Published By Dr. Rachel Hall at 12 August, 2011

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants play an important role in overall health. They are natural compounds found in some foods that help neutralise free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are substances that occur naturally in our bodies but attack the fats, protein and the DNA in our cells, which can cause different types of diseases and accelerate the ageing process.

Sources of Antioxidants

The best antioxidant sources are fruits and vegetables, as well as products derived from plants. Some good choices include blueberries, raspberries, apples, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, eggplant, and legumes like red kidney beans or black beans.

They’re also found in green tea, black tea, cocoa and grapes.

Usually, the presence of colour indicates there is a specific antioxidant in that food.

The key is variety; try to get as many fruits and vegetables with different colours when you plan your meals and go to the supermarket or grocers.

An array of colour in your diet will give you the widest range of beneficial antioxidants.

Depending on the particular food, cooking temperatures and methods can sometimes increase or decrease antioxidant levels. The important thing is that you eat antioxidant-rich foods, so go with your personal preference for preparation as long as it’s not deep frying!

Supplements and Vitamins

Added antioxidants are as effective as those that occur naturally. Vitamins such as C, A and E can be added to foods and they often are, such as in orange juice.

One of the things those additives do is act as antioxidants in the body.

There is no significant physiological difference between the added antioxidants and the ones occurring naturally in the food source.

However, there’s also no evidence that taking antioxidant dietary supplements work as well as the antioxidants found in food products.

It’s important not to overdo it on supplements because there can be too much of a good thing.

With food products, it would be extremely difficult to consume an excessive amount of antioxidants. However there is not a set recommended daily allowance (RDA) for antioxidants, but the new MyPlate tool based on the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that you make half your plate vegetables and fruits. If you endeavour to do that at most meals, you will get the antioxidants you need. Bear in mind to aim for 5 serves of vegetables and 2 of fruits per day as a rule of thumb as overindulging in fruits can be just like eating too much sugar.


  • Dr. Rachel Hall

    Dr. Rachel Hall

    Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.

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