Why & What Anti-Oxidant Foods are Necessary | MusclePost Nutrition Guide

 

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Antioxidants are the compounds that we take through our food that inhibits the process of oxidation in our body. That means it disallows the production of the unstable molecules known as free radicals, which prevent internal chain reactions that may damage the cells of your body.

Antioxidant food contains Vitamin C & E for the prevention and treatment of viral respiratory organ infections such as COVID-19 which prevents cells and organ damage that is caused by free radicals, Health experts around the world recommend a balanced diet that will lead to a better immune system and lower risk of chronic illnesses. So anyway a person is going to be benefitted if chooses fresh and unprocessed food containing antioxidants along with the vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, protein, etc the body needs.


What is a Free Radical? 

In chemistry, where a radical is an ion that contains an unpaired(positive or negative) valence electron which is why they are highly reactive and unstable. 

Same way when the food in our body breaks down to form energy, several chemical elements get produced along which react and damage our cells and DNA. Severe diseases like Heart problems, Cancer, Atherosclerosis(cholesterol problems) Diabetes, etc. are among the top hazardous health complications.

Apart from our food, there are various modes through which we come across these free radicals, like: 

  • The air quality, we breathe contains a mixture of toxic gaseous waste. 
  • Drinking water that is open to the environment or the supply water, also responsible for it. 
  • Fried and processed packed food
  • Tobacco & drug Consumption 
  • UV rays from the sun
  • Vegetables and crops processed with pesticides.


To fight these unwanted chemicals, our body produces antioxidants that aren't sufficient when we are exposed to a number of challenges mentioned ahead.  Although there are many antioxidant sources like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lycopene lutein, selenium, etc. where Vitamin E followed by Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid) is considered to be the most powerful antioxidant that fights all kinds of disease and boost our blood antioxidant levels, followed by Vitamin E & β-carotene. In short, a vitamin c-enriched diet is all you need to add to your daily life in order to stay one step closer to good health. Also, antioxidants prevent the fast aging process caused by the free radicals.



Total Anti-Oxidant Capacity (TAC)

It is a biological term that has the purpose to evaluate the antioxidant status of food samples and evaluate their antioxidant responses against the free radicals produced in a given disease. Total Antioxidant Capacity is expressed in "mM Trolox equivalents" by the TRAP method. Read a detailed journal on TAC for various food categories here




Listing all kinds of food with Anti-Oxidant supplements.


1. Vegetables

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There are loads of varieties when asked for antioxidant foods. Talking about deep colored vegetables :

  • Spinach
  • Cabbage
  • Sweet Potatoes
  • Carrots
  • Avocados
  • Red Cabbage
  • Broccoli 
  • Radish
  • Pumpkin
  • Tomatoes and more.


2. Fruits 

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Fruits are a perfect source of dietary antioxidants that contain strong flavors, ranging from acidic(sour) to base(bitter) is also packed with vitamins, and beneficial in a number of ways. That's why including fruits in our everyday diet always keep the health complications far away. Such as : 

  

  • Guava
  • Lemon
  • Banana
  • Oranges
  • Mangoes 
  • Red Grapes
  • Papaya
  • Watermelon
  • Apples 
  • Plum
  • Raisin
  • Dried Pears
  • Beetroot
  • All kind of berries (Blackberries, blueberries, Raspberries, Cranberries, Strawberries, Goji berries, Acai berries, etc)
Several fruits that contain considerable sugar content are subjected to be consumed carefully especially for diabetes patients.   


3. Indian Spices & Herbs

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In India, people are habitual of spicy meals. The Indian Spices and herbs are a blessing with the highest levels of antioxidant sources like oregano, sage, peppermint along with a list of items as :

  • Saffron (Kesar)
  • Cinnamon
  • Oregano
  • Turmeric
  • Cumin
  • Parsley
  • Basil
  • Curry Powder
  • Paprika
  • Pepper
  • Ginger
  • Chilli Powder
  • Clove
  • Allspice (Pimenta Dioica)
  • Garlic
  • Onion
  • Coriander
  • Thyme
  • Dill weed
  • Marjoram
  • Savory, etc.



4. Nuts/Cereals 

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Dried nuts that are covered with hard shells or 
a seed are actually a good source of vitamin E (a powerful antioxidant) whereas cereal is the seed or grain cultivated in the form of grass that contains a variety of polyphenols showing strong antioxidant capacity. Eg Wheat, barley, rice, maize, oat, etc.  Some of the examples for nuts :


  • Prunes
  • Beans (kidney beans)
  • Walnuts
  • Buckwheat
  • Wheat bran
  • Legume
  • Broad Bean
  • Lentils
  • Chickpea
  • Pecans 
  • Chestnuts
  • Pistachios
  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Peanuts
  • Almonds and many more.

5. Beverages 

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A few beverages and antioxidant-rich drinks also have some hidden benefits like they are good sources of antioxidants. Even low-alcohol containing drinks like beer and wine are also rich antioxidant sources.  Other names are :
  • Coffee
  • Dark Chocolate
  • Beer and Wine ( Moderate consumption has considerable health benefits.)
  • Green Tea
  • Matcha (a highly concentrated form of green tea)
  • Fruit Juice ( from above fruit list)
  • Antioxidant Infusion drinks and more.




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