Antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, green tea, wine, and vitamin supplements can reduce inflammation, prevent diseases, slow aging, and reduce oxidative damage. Antioxidants counteract free radicals that damage cell tissues and cause diseases like cancer. They also calm and control inflammation, which is related to disease and aging. Antioxidants can prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, and mild bacterial infections. They can also improve vision and reverse metabolic syndrome.
Antioxidant activity is present in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, green tea, and wine. Vitamin supplements can also be a good source of antioxidants. The benefits of an antioxidant-rich diet include reduced inflammation, disease prevention, a slower aging process, and less oxidative damage.
As the human body is exposed to oxygen, it encounters free radicals that cause small amounts of oxidative damage to cell tissues. Over time, the damage can accumulate and encourage the development of diseases such as cancer. The antioxidant activity helps counteract this damage, which is also considered responsible for the aging process.
A second benefit of antioxidant activity is that it helps calm and control inflammation. In addition to oxidative damage, chronic inflammation is believed to be related to disease and accelerated aging. High levels of environmental stress, poor diet, and genetic predisposition can lead to constant inflammation in the skin and internal organs. Inflammation is the body’s natural defense against injury and irritation. Some chronic skin diseases such as rosacea and acne are thought to be caused by systemic inflammation.
Many topical skin products used to treat these conditions contain vitamins that are naturally high in antioxidant activity, such as vitamin C. Wine, which is rich in polyphenols, is linked to a reduction in the amount of inflammation in the arteries. This can help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke.
Antioxidants are thought to reduce the amount of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart attacks. Diets rich in whole grains can provide antioxidants that offer protection against heart damage caused by free radicals. Additionally, high blood pressure is often reduced with an increase in antioxidant intake.
It is possible to prevent mild bacterial infections with antioxidants. Bladder infections generally result from a buildup of harmful bacteria. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as cranberries and blueberries, helps the body naturally cleanse itself and maintain a proper balance of infection-fighting bacteria.
Improved vision is another benefit associated with antioxidants. Studies have linked certain foods with an increased ability to see clearly at night and a reduction in eye symptoms that accompany fatigue. For example, puffiness under the eyes is directly related to inflammation and can be reduced by taking antioxidant supplements.
Possible benefits associated with antioxidant activity that are currently being investigated include a reversal of metabolic syndrome. This disease is characterized by obesity, prediabetes and a propensity to gain weight in the abdomen. Glucose tolerance problems, such as hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia, are additional components of the syndrome that show a positive response to antioxidants.
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