Antioxidants - Boost your Intake

Antioxidants are everywhere these days. Actually, they've always been everywhere, but now every health food drink and supplement adds them in for good measure.

So, what exactly are antioxidants?

When our bodies metabolize oxygen, free radicals are created which may cause damage to our cells. Antioxidants - as the name suggests, are essentially nutrients that can limit the damge of the free radicals. Antioxidants include catechins, flavonoids, lignans, lycopene, Vitamins A, C, and E, and zinc. Studies have shown that antioxidants may help prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke, and some degenerative conditions. They also slow down the ageing process in skin, hair and muscles.

No one particular antioxidant is the cure all! It is best to take a wide approach to antioxidant nutrition and get as many as you possibly can. The most effeciant way of getting your antioxidant daily dose, is through fresh fruit and vegetables.

The following foods are placed into colour coded groups for ease of recognition. Try and consume at least one from each group every day.

1. The Red Group: Tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, and pink and red grapefruit
2. The Green Group: Broccoli, spinach, kale, collard greens, and Brussels sprouts
3. The Orange Group: Carrots, mangoes, apricots, and sweet potatoes
4. The Yellow Group: Pineapple, corn, and pears
5. The Blue Group: Blueberries, blackberries, and plums
6. The White Group: Onions, garlic, and leeks