Which Foods Prevent Free Radicals in Your Body?
Free radicals are dangerous molecules that can accumulate in
your body and cause serious health problems, like cancer. According to the
National Cancer Institute, free radicals are formed with incomplete electron
shells, which makes them more chemically reactive and damaging to your health.
Toxic chemicals from substances like cigarette smoke and environmental
radiation can also cause free radicals. Eating foods with antioxidants help
prevent, neutralize and eradicate free radicals before they have a chance to
cause DNA damage and long-term health problems.
Foods with Beta Carotene
Beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that may help neutralize
and prevent free radicals. Foods with beta carotene are easy to spot because
this antioxidant gives them a vibrant orange color. The International Food
Information Council Foundation reports that foods with beta carotene may also
bolster your body's defenses, so you are better able to prevent the formation
of free radicals. Look for orange fruits and vegetables like sweet potatoes,
carrots, peppers, apricots, cantaloupe and mangoes to get this antioxidant.
Foods with Vitamin C
One of the antioxidants that get the most attention is vitamin C
because it has such as a positive effect your body's natural defenses against illness.
In addition to boosting your immune system, vitamin C also helps prevent the
damage that free radicals cause by eliminating them before they become an
irreversible problem. Foods high in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruit, bell
peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, pineapple, papaya, broccoli, brussels sprouts,
and spinach.
Foods with Vitamin E
Adding vitamin E to your daily diet is another way to help
prevent the formation of free radicals, as well as help neutralize any that
have already formed. Vitamin E is another nutrient that has antioxidant
properties that help protect cells from free radicals and also aids in DNA
repair, notes the International Food Information Council Foundation. Including
vitamin E-rich foods like nuts, nut butter, vegetable oils, whole grains, wheat
germ, brown rice, oatmeal and dark leafy green vegetables will help you get
these benefits by increasing your intake of this important antioxidant.
Foods with Selenium
The National Cancer Institute notes that while Selenium is not
an antioxidant nutrient, it does play a significant role in preventing free
radicals and free radical damage. Selenium is present in foods that come from
the ground, as well as in animal products that rely on selenium-rich feed.
Brazil nuts are one of the best sources of selenium, but eating oatmeal, brown
rice, chicken, eggs, onions, wheat germ, whole grains, and vegetables will also
supply a healthy dose of this important free-radical preventing mineral.
No comments:
Post a Comment