Antioxidants are substances that counteract oxidation.
A simple example of how this works is to cut open an apple and leave it out for a few hours. The brown color that forms on the flesh when it comes into contact with the air is called oxidation.
If, on the other hand, you brush a little lemon juice onto the surface of the apple immediately after cutting it, it takes considerably longer before it starts to turn brown. This is because lemon is rich in antioxidants that counteract oxidation.
Why are antioxidants so important?
The process above is not entirely unlike what happens inside our bodies. If we have plenty of antioxidants, our cells can protect themselves against oxidation and continue to perform their functions.
Without antioxidants, we simply “rust” a little faster, and our cells have more difficulty maintaining their balance and vitality.
When a person has an infection or inflammation, many free radicals are produced. In addition to contributing to a range of diseases, free radicals are also considered to accelerate the natural aging process.
Our immune system uses these radicals to attack, so they need to be present but there needs to be a balance between radicals and antioxidants.
It is equally important to try to eliminate factors that accelerate oxidation in the body, such as white sugar, smoking, excessive stress, excessive exercise, unhealthy fats, etc.
How do we get antioxidants?
Our largest source of antioxidants comes from our diet in the form of fruits, berries, vegetables, herbs, spices, and powders. Yes, everything colorful!
We always recommend that everyone follow a lifestyle where a “rainbow variety” of colorful vegetables and fruits in beautiful shades of green, purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow are included on the plate every day.
A broad spectrum of antioxidants
All antioxidants have different functions in the body and work best in synergy with one another.
That’s why you can’t think, “But I take vitamin C” or “I eat raw cacao, so I get all the antioxidants I need.”
The body does not work that way; instead, we need a broad spectrum of antioxidants for different purposes. So think variety and colors!
Here is a list of eighteen different antioxidants so you can choose the ones that suit you best.
Antioxidant vitamins & minerals
In addition to strongly colored foods, some vitamins and a mineral also function as antioxidants. Exciting!
1. Vitamin E
A fat-soluble antioxidant that stops the production of cell-damaging oxidative stress in the body.
Vitamin E is found in many colorful fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.
2. Vitamin C
One of the most potent antioxidants available, helping to balance our immune system and neutralize free radical molecules.
Because it is water-soluble, it is not stored in the body. You must continuously replenish it by eating foods rich in vitamin C or taking supplements. It is found in most fruits and vegetables.
Vitamins C and E work together to provide extra antioxidant protection to help keep you healthy.
3. Selenium
A mineral and an antioxidant that play an important role in the function of the immune system and DNA synthesis.
Selenium supports immunity because it is needed for the immune system to function properly; it is also an important nutrient for counteracting the development of viruses.
Selenium also supports thyroid health. When it comes to food, Brazil nuts are by far the best source of this important antioxidant.
4. Zinc
Not an antioxidant, but it has antioxidant properties, which means it helps protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. Zinc and vitamin C complement each other.
Antioxidants with phytonutrients
The Greek word "phyto" means plant, and "nutrients" refers to substances that make life possible.
These are substances found naturally in fruit, berries, and vegetables - what gives them their beautiful color pigments and functions as the plants' own immune system. They protect plants against radiation, pollutants, viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
In the human body, these phytonutrients act as antioxidants, dampen inflammatory processes in the body, activate the immune system, and strengthen the body's natural detoxification system.
So we want plenty of it, and we get it by eating lots of vegetables, fruit, berries, and sprouts.
5. Beta-carotene
A well-known and important antioxidant that, among other things, supports eye health. Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which our bodies convert into vitamin A.
6. Carotenoids
Yellow, orange, and red pigments in fruits and vegetables, such as peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and oranges.
Remember that green leafy vegetables are also rich in carotenoids, but the yellowish color is hidden by the green chlorophyll, as in spinach, broccoli, brassicas, and freshwater algae.
7. Astaxanthin
An effective antioxidant belonging to the carotenoid group and found, among other sources, in algae.
Many people have become aware of this antioxidant, partly because it appears to have positive effects on inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
8. Lycopene
Another well-known carotenoid containing red plant pigments, found in tomatoes and watermelon, but also in grapefruit and papaya.
Heating tomatoes, such as in tomato sauce, has been shown to provide more lycopene, which is beneficial for the prostate.
9. Resveratrol
A powerful polyphenol with numerous health benefits. It protects against heart disease, may lower cholesterol, and support healthy blood sugar or insulin levels.
Resveratrol tends to be most concentrated in the skins and seeds of grapes and berries. It occurs naturally in the skins of red grapes, blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries.
10. Quercetin
A plant pigment and flavonoid that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, and plants. It is now also a popular dietary supplement.
Quercetin has been used for decades to support the immune system and respiratory health. Quercetin has been linked to improved exercise performance, reduced inflammation, and blood pressure regulation.
11. Anthocyanin
A member of the flavonoid group. The best sources of anthocyanins are berries with blue, purple, and dark red plant pigments, such as blackberries, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, cherries, strawberries, grapes, and blackcurrants.
Acai is also a source of anthocyanins. Studies indicate that anthocyanins may help prevent cardiovascular disease.
They may counteract unnecessary aging of the skin and other parts of the body and protect the nervous system.
12. Curcumin
A very powerful anti-inflammatory substance that most people are now familiar with is found in the wonderful orange turmeric.
13. Catechin
A type of flavonoid called EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) is a well-known antioxidant in green tea that protects molecules and cells against free radicals. They give the tea its mild astringency.
Matcha tea contains a high amount of catechins.
14. Sulfides
Sulfides (sulfur) are found in white plant pigments, such as those in onions, cauliflower, and garlic.
15. Sulforaphane
A sulfur-rich compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli sprouts, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale. It has been shown to provide powerful health benefits.
Sulforaphane is said to have a unique ability to promote cells' antioxidant capacity and defense system against harmful substances and pathogens, and helps protect DNA.
Super antioxidants
16. Coenzyme Q10
An antioxidant that our bodies produce naturally, and which is important for cell growth and repair. It is a fat-soluble vitamin-like substance.
Levels naturally decrease as we age, and it has become a popular supplement for both heart health and energy production, as it plays an important role in producing energy in the cells' powerhouses (the mitochondria).
17. BioPQQ
Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (PQQ) is a compound found naturally in soil and in certain plant-based foods and is believed to contribute to the formation of new mitochondrial cells.
It also has antioxidant properties and is said to counteract inflammation. PQQ and CoQ10 are often found combined in supplements to enhance energy levels.
18. Chaga
A mushroom worth mentioning when talking about antioxidants. It actually has one of the highest ORAC values of all foods.
ORAC stands for “oxygen radical absorbent capacity”.
The higher the ORAC value, the better a food is at protecting the body from free radicals. This means that chaga mushroom is one of the best sources of antioxidants, with an ORAC value of 146 700.
Chaga has been used as traditional medicine in Northern European countries and Russia for hundreds of years.
In animal studies, this mushroom has helped strengthen the immune system by increasing the production of certain immune cells, including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and T lymphocytes. These substances help regulate the immune system and ensure that the body fights all invading bacteria and viruses.
Remember!
Diet is always the most important thing.
We offer supplements and nutritional powders because they are needed today with all the depleted soils and the chemicals we ingest daily, but they can never replace a nutritious, healthy diet.
We therefore always recommend a healthy combination.
