Antioxidants are substances that counteract oxidation.
A simple example of how this works can be seen by cutting an apple and leaving it out for a few hours. The brown color that forms on the flesh when exposed to air is called oxidation. If you instead brush some lemon juice on the apple's surface right after cutting it, it takes significantly longer before it starts to brown. This is because lemon is rich in antioxidants that counteract oxidation.
Why are antioxidants so important?
The process above is not unlike what happens inside our bodies. If we have plenty of antioxidants, our cells can protect themselves against oxidation and continue to perform their tasks. Without antioxidants, we simply "rust" a bit faster and our cells find it harder to maintain their balance and vitality. When a person has an infection or inflammation, many free radicals are formed.In addition to contributing to a range of diseases, free radicals are also thought to accelerate the natural aging process. Our immune system uses these radicals to attack, so they should exist but a balance is needed between radicals and antioxidants. Equally important is trying to eliminate factors that accelerate oxidation in the body, such as white sugar, smoking, excessive stress, excessive exercise, poor fats, etc.
How do we get antioxidants?
Our greatest source of antioxidants comes from our diet in the form of fruits, berries, vegetables, herbs, spices, and powders. Yes, everything colorful! We always recommend everyone to live a lifestyle where a "rainbow variety" of colorful vegetables and fruits with beautiful green, purple, blue, red, orange, and yellow shades 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 each other. Therefore, you can't think that "I take vitamin C" or "I eat raw cacao, so I get all the antioxidants I need." The body doesn't work that way—we need a rich spectrum of antioxidants for different purposes. So think variety and colors! Here's a list of eighteen different antioxidants so you can choose the ones that suit you best.
Antioxidant vitamins & minerals
Besides richly colored raw ingredients, some vitamins and one mineral also function as antioxidants. Exciting!
1. E-vitamin
A fat-soluble antioxidant that stops the production of cell-damaging oxidative stress in the body. E-vitamin is found in many colorful fruits and vegetables, vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds.
2. Vitamin C
One of the most potent antioxidants that helps balance our immune system and neutralizes free radical molecules. Since it is water-soluble, it is not stored in the body. You must continuously replenish it by eating foods rich in vitamin C or with supplements. It is found in most fruits and vegetables. Vitamins C and E work together for extra antioxidant defense to keep you healthy.
3. Selenium
A mineral and antioxidant that plays an important role in immune system function and DNA synthesis. Selenium supports immunity because it is needed for the immune system to function properly, and it is also an important nutrient for preventing the development of viruses. Selenium also supports thyroid health. In terms of food sources, Brazil nuts are by far the best source of this important antioxidant.
4. Zinc
Not an antioxidant itself but has antioxidant properties, which means it helps protect the body's cells from damage caused by free radicals. Zinc and vitamin C work well together.
Antioxidants with phytonutrients
The Greek word "phyto" means plant and "nutrients" refers to substances that enable life. These are substances naturally found in fruits, berries, and vegetables – giving them their beautiful color pigments, and functioning as the plants' own immune system. They protect plants against radiation, pollution, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. In the human body, these phytonutrients function as antioxidants, they reduce inflammatory processes in the body, activate the immune system, and strengthen the body's natural detoxification system. So we want plenty of these, and we get them by eating lots of vegetables, fruits, berries, and sprouts.
5. Beta-Carotene
A well-known and important antioxidant that supports eye health, among other benefits. Carrots, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, and dark green leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which our bodies convert to vitamin A.
6. Carotenoids
Yellow, orange, and red color pigments in fruits and vegetables such as bell peppers, carrots, sweet potatoes, and oranges. Remember that green leafy vegetables are also rich in carotenoids, but their yellowish color is hidden by the green chlorophyll, as in spinach, broccoli, cruciferous vegetables, and freshwater algae.
7. Astaxanthin
An effective antioxidant that belongs to the carotenoid group and is found in algae, among other sources. Many have taken notice of this antioxidant, particularly as it appears to have positive effects on inflammation and cardiovascular diseases.
8. Lycopene
Another well-known carotenoid that contains 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 increase lycopene content, which is beneficial for prostate health.
9. Resveratrol
A powerful polyphenol with numerous health benefits. It protects against heart disease, can lower cholesterol, and support healthy blood sugar or insulin levels. Resveratrol tends to be concentrated mostly in the skin and seeds of grapes and berries. It is naturally found in the skin of red grapes, blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries.
10. Quercetin
A plant pigment and flavonoid that occurs naturally in fruits, vegetables, and plants. It has also become a popular supplement. Quercetin has been used for decades to support the immune system and respiratory organs. 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 black currants.
Acai is also a source of anthocyanins. There are studies suggesting that anthocyanins may prevent cardiovascular diseases. It's possible that they counteract unnecessary aging in the skin and other parts of the body and protect the nervous system.
12. Curcumin
A very powerful anti-inflammatory substance that most people today know is found in the orange, wonderful turmeric. Turmeric can help manage chronic diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
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 many catechins.
14. Sulfides
Sulfides (sulfur) can be found in white plant pigments such as 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 cellular antioxidant capacity and defense systems against harmful substances and pathogens, and helps protect DNA.
Superantioxidants
16. Coenzyme Q10
An antioxidant that our body produces naturally, and it 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 both for heart health and energy production as it plays an important role in creating energy in the cells' powerhouses (mitochondria).
17. BioPQQ
Pyrroloquinoline quinone disodium salt (PQQ) is a compound found naturally in soil and certain plant-based foods that 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 combined in supplements to enhance energy levels.
18. Chaga
A mushroom worthy of mention when discussing antioxidants. It actually has one of the highest ORAC values of any food. ORAC stands for "oxygen radical absorbent capacity" (capacity to absorb oxygen radicals). The higher the ORAC value, the better a food's ability to protect 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 the body fights off any 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 depleted soils and the chemicals we consume daily, but they can never replace a nutritious, healthy diet. We therefore always recommend a sound combination.
