Antioxidants,
what are they
We define antioxidants as all those substances capable
of interfering with the chemical reactions of oxidation that give rise to
so-called free radicals.
Free radicals are constantly produced as a result of
normal metabolic processes and some immune reactions, and can damage cellular
structures (including the genetic material) and alter the operation of
important biological molecules (for example proteins).
To counter the action as they are released, the body has
at its disposal a number of defense mechanisms: certain chemical compounds,
partly synthesized inside and partly in the diet, and some specialized
enzymatic systems.
When the production of free radicals exceeds the
capabilities of these protective systems, it is said that the body is exposed
to a condition of oxidative stress.
How to act
Given that the damage caused by free radicals derived
from a variety of chain chemical reactions triggered by them, the different
antioxidants intervene at different levels of the chain of reactions, blocking
its progression.
Among the antioxidant compounds that the organism
synthesizes individually there are some products of metabolism, such as
glutathione, the ubiquinol (or coenzyme Q) and uric acid, and the hormone
melatonin.
Among food and
Juice the antioxidants are:
ascorbic acid or vitamin C;
tocopherols (a family of eight compounds to which also
belongs the vitamin E);
carotenoids (beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin,
cryptoxanthin, lycopene) and vitamin A;
some polyphenolic compounds (flavonoids, resvetarolo);
some trace elements (selenium, copper, manganese,
zinc) essential for the functioning of the antioxidant enzyme systems of the
organism.
Most of the food is sourced antioxidants in plant
foods (vegetables, fruits, grains, legumes, seeds, cocoa, tea, coffee, red
wine).
Cranberries
antioxidant juice.
One of the most potent antioxidant juice is
Cranberries which are a rich source of antioxidants. A recent study found that:
Cranberries are full of antioxidants and should be
eaten more often than most other types of fruits due to their concentration of
antioxidants. Studies show that cranberries have more antioxidants than most of
the popular fruits eaten in the grocery stores.
Other studies also blueberries rank as a leader in
content of phenolic compounds.
Antioxidants have been shown in studies in preventive measures for heart
disease as well as some types of cancer.
Effects on
health
There is no doubt that the oxidizing compounds may
have adverse biological effects and that the systems endogenous and exogenous
antioxidants help to counteract such damages.
It was also observed that diets rich in foods
containing antioxidants seem to have a protective role against pathological
conditions possibly related to oxidative stress.
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