Antioxidant Nutrients

Antioxidants give their free electrons to free radicals, causing cellular damage. Antioxidants lose their activity after neutralizing the free radical, which means that our bodies are constantly in need of antioxidants.
Free radicals can cause:
Damage to nerve cells in your brain
Arthritis
Eye lens damage
Early aging
Increased risk for heart disease and some cancers
Many antioxidants come from plants. These include carotenoids such as vitamins C and E and betacarotene, minerals, phenolic compounds, and other natural chemicals with antioxidant properties.



Flavonoids are also powerful antioxidants and are found in red wine and tea.

Although there are antioxidants in vitamin supplements, it is believed that various natural foods - fruits, vegetables, grains, green leaf salad plants, snack, seeds - are the best way to provide the antioxidants your body needs.

Antioxidant-containing foods include:
Beta carotene - green leafy plants like carrots, squashes, raisins, sweet potatoes and curly cabbage
Lutein - green leafy plants like spinach.
Lycopene - tomato, melon, papaya
Selenium - Rice and wheat
Vitamin A - Carrots, sweet potatoes, milk, egg yolks
Vitamin E - almonds, vegetable oils, mango, cookies, broccoli
C vitamini - parsley, broccoli, small juicy fruits (mulberry, strawberry), orange, cauliflower, curly cabbage, various vegetables and fruits