Why Antioxidants Are Important

Oxidization is the combination of a substance with oxygen. When food undergoes the process of oxidization, valuable vitamins may be destroyed or lost. This is often evident in fruit when specimens such as a sliced apple, begin to brown once exposed to air. However, many forms of foods, specifically fruits and vegetables, contain compounds designed to delay this process. These compounds are commonly referred to as antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules within foods which inhibit the oxidation of other molecules. This is achieved when the antioxidant itself acts as a reducing agent in which it is oxidized, losing one of its own additional electrons. The lost electron then combines with the with the other molecule, effectively neutralizing it and terminating the oxidization process.

In addition to food, the oxidization process also occurs within the human body as a result of several internal processes. The process of oxygen metabolism within the human body then creates molecules known as free radicals. Free radicals are also known as reactive oxygen species, and have a tendency to donate oxygen molecules to other substances, making them highly reactive and dangerous to cellular structures. The danger posed to cells by free radicals lies in their surplus of one or more free-floating electrons. Where most chemical compounds have matched pairs, free-radical electrons lack partners and are therefore highly reactive. They are likely to react with cellular structures, inevitably causing the destruction of the cell itself as the electrons in both cell and free-radical react to form new chemical compounds. It is due to this cell destruction that free-radicals are theorized as being responsible for ailments such as the breakdown of DNA, and the cause of certain cancers. Free radicals can be produced by a number of processes within the human body, such as exercise, inflammation, reactions involving iron and other transition metals, amongst many more. Processes occurring outside of the body, such as within the environment of the individual, can also produce free-radicals, such as smoking, radiation, ozone, ultraviolet rays, chemicals, drugs, pollution, pesticides, etc.

However, within nature, antioxidants exist to battle oxidization and repair or possibly even reverse its damaging side effects. Antioxidant-rich foods, known alternatively as 'super-foods', are foods densely packed with vitamins and minerals which halt the oxidization process, within the food itself as well as within the human body. Some examples of such foods include green tea, herbs such as oregano, many types of berries such as goji, acai, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, pomegranates, noni, and mangosteen, amongst a plethora of others. Other potent forms of antioxidants include resveratrol, which is commonly found in red wine, and catechins and phenols, which are found in dark chocolates with a cacao solids concentration of 75% or higher. Until recently it was thought tea was the most potent form of antioxidant containing food, however new studies show that dark chocolate of a concentration of 75% or over, out weighs the amount of antioxidants in tea by more than four times!

The antioxidants found in these fruits and foods are known for their positive effects on reducing cholesterol, inflammation, heart disease, and for preventing the formation of plaque within blood vessels. Resveratol particularly is responsible for maintaining pliable veins and arteries as well as lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and is proven to be 10% to 20% more potent than vitamin E alone. They also assist in preventing the formation of carcinogens, and in some studies have been shown to reduce the progression and even some effects of certain cancers. Some forms of herbs such as oregano have even been shown to possess antimicrobial properties when combined with foods, preventing the formation of dangerous bacteria. Currently, studies are being conducted which may even suggest that daily doses of antioxidant-rich foods such as blueberries may even serve to severely reduce the signs of aging such as loss of balance, dexterity, and cognitive aspects. Perhaps one day, cures to diseases such as Alzheimers may even be unlocked with further study into the effects of valuable antioxidants.

Michael Stanford is a freelance writer in the nutritional industry. He has contributed research on many of the top antioxidant/supplemental treatments available today, as well as serving as a consultant to the supplement industry. For more information visit http://www.topsupplements.net/articles/antioxidant/top_antioxidant_supplements_articles.html