Antioxidants benefits for health

The human population is suffering with various diseases. The reason behind many of them is oxidative stress which is caused by free radicals. Free radicals are the byproducts of metabolism and our environment. Internal factors like inflammation and external factors like pollution, UV exposure and smoking can increase free radical production. These may lead to heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, respiratory diseases, immune deficiency, Parkinson’s disease and other inflammatory conditions.

The solution to these disease causing entities is- ‘Antioxidants’. The antioxidants are natural molecules present in various foods that help neutralizing free radicals generated in our bodies. These are found in various foods and the best source are plants. The ‘classic’ antioxidants involve vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium and the others include carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein and Astaxanthin. Another subgroup comprises of flavonoids found in most fruits. The antioxidants derived from animals include omega-3-fatty acids. Antioxidants are essential for good health and longevity, and getting enough of them is about eating a nutritious and varied diet and adopting a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, our bodies are unable to cope up with the deficiencies, even after consuming these antioxidants in natural form. Hence, the physicians prescribe them in the form of ‘supplements’. Thus, by improving our diets by consuming more antioxidant-rich foods will do wonders to the overall health.

Thus, antioxidants in daily diet could be the best medicine that can help you fit in the oldest cliche,‘‘prevention is better than cure‘‘