In a world where anyone is susceptible to health risk, people have become more and more conscious about the foods they eat. Choosing the right types of food can truly spell the difference between wellness and sickness. As it is already known, food does more than just satisfy hunger, it contains valuable compounds that provide nutrition to ensure survival and longevity. And among the most important components that boost immunity and overall health are the much talked about antioxidants.
So why are antioxidants such a big buzz word right now and what exactly do they do? When the body performs bioprocesses it absorbs nutrients to carry out these tasks. As nutrients are absorbed, waste is the by product. The body then has to flush that waste. If the waste accumulates faster than the body can flush it, it causes oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress eventually causes the production of harmful free radicals, compounds that contribute to health complications such as heart disease, urinary tract infection, cancer, and others. To be able to fight off cell damage caused by free radicals, the body needs the speedy action of antioxidants. Antioxidants may be classified into categories such as flavonoids, enzymes, thiols, and others.
Did you know that you can receive your daily dose of antioxidants from rich sources such as your favorite beverages? Even without the need for pills or dietary supplements, you can cleanse your body, rejuvenate your cells, and improve your overall well-being just by enjoying drinks like coffee, tea, juice, cocoa, and wine!
You need to know a few facts about what beverages you can drink to get your daily recommended levels of antioxidants. Here are some beverages you can easily acquire and drink, you might even already be drinking some of these:
Coffee – This popular morning energy rush beverage has a high amount of antioxidants. Specifically, it is black coffee and its chlorogenic and caffeic acid. The Journal of Nutrition published an article in March of 2004 that revealed studies conducted that showed coffee drinkers had lower occurrences of diabetes and certain types of cancer.
Tea ” Perhaps the most popular drink in the whole world, tea and its many varieties have already been established as beneficial to health. Of the diverse types of tea, green and black tea are said to contain the most amount of flavonoids like EGCG, which perform vital antioxidant processes. Drinking tea daily can help cleanse the urinary system, and prevent cell damage that can lead to cancer.
Juice ” Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and limes have a high Vitamin C content. Vitamin C has already been established as an effective antioxidant that boosts immunity. Along with that, citrus juices contain hesperidin, a compound that was found to help protect the blood vessels. Another popular fruit that has strong antioxidants is the acai berry, rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids like homoorientin and more. Acai juice, as a diet supplement, is already a favored choice among people who want to get rid of excess fat.
Cocoa ” A steaming mug of cocoa is not just for cold winter nights anymore. Chocolate, especially the pure unsweetened form, has been discovered to have lots of procyanidin, a flavonoid that supports the bodys connective tissues, maintains healthy blood vessels, and prevents cell mutation. Cocoa also has quercitin, which has been researched by the National Institutes of Health to have benefits against diabetes and obesity.
I hope you find this article on antioxidants helpful. Chinese tea has more free radical fighting antioxidants than any other drink. To learn more about Chinese tea go to Chinese tea and to find the largest selection of teas at the cheapest prices go to buy tea online