What Are Antioxidants and Why Do You Need Them?

Every day, we are exposed to various toxins from different sources. Be it environmental pollution, adulterated food or even the medication that we consume, these toxin sources are responsible for the buildup of free radicals in the body. These free radicals can cause severe damage to the cells and tissues of the body, making products like TrueBasics antioxidantsextremely important. 

What Are Antioxidants? 

Before we talk about antioxidants, we need to understand what free radicals are. As toxins in the body build-up, free radicals increase. These free radicals are highly reactive and cause oxidative stress to the cells and tissues when they are too many in number. 

 There are some functions of these free radicals as well. For instance, they are used up by the immune system when they have to fight infections. However, these free radicals are only useful when they are in the right proportion to antioxidants. 

 Antioxidants are molecules that help neutralise these free radicals to maintain their balance in the body. However, when the amount of free radicals exceeds the number of antioxidants, it begins to cause several health issues. This is because free radicals cause oxidative stress to your cells and tissues. When it is prolonged, oxidative stress also leads to DNA damage, putting you at the risk of health issues like cancer. 

What Are The Best Natural Sources of Antioxidants? 

There are different sources of antioxidants. Some of them are produced by the human body. For instance, glutathione is one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. 

 Besides that, there are other types of antioxidants that are produced in plants and animals that they use for defence against free radicals. This is why you can find antioxidants in a wide range of plant and animal-based food products. 

 Among the various dietary antioxidants, there are three most important ones that can be found in most fresh fruits and vegetables: 

Vitamin C: this is a type of antioxidant that is a water-soluble antioxidant that is found in citrus fruits and other foods.  

Vitamin E: This is a type of fat-soluble antioxidant that helps in protecting the membranes of your cells against free radical damage. 

Flavonoids: These are plant chemicals that have several benefits and positive health effects. 

These antioxidants are commonly found in fresh produce like berries, green leafy vegetables and others. Herbal extracts like turmeric are also among the finest sources of beneficial antioxidants. 

The Benefits of Consuming Antioxidants

When you consume antioxidants in your diet on a regular basis, you will notice several improvements in your health and overall performance. Here are some benefits of using antioxidants: 

Healthy skin and hair: The immediate benefits of antioxidants are seen on the skin and hair. As a result of pollution and exposure to chemicals, the skin and hair tend to become dull and lifeless. The toxin builds up on the surface of the skin also leads to acne, fine lines, skin ageing, premature greying and a host of other issues. 

Ensures optimum organ function: Antioxidants are particularly beneficial for the liver which is responsible for all the breakdown of toxins and chemicals. Antioxidants protect the cells and tissues of the vital organs from free radical damage and allow them to function at their best ability. It also helps keep them healthier for longer.  

Keeps your immunity high: Just like the other cells and tissues of the body, the cells of the immune system are also affected by free radicals. Consuming antioxidants helps reduce the damage caused to the white blood cells. Additionally, it prevents the immune system from being diverted towards fighting free radicals. That way, you can enjoy the full strength of your immune system and stay clear of common health issues and illnesses.  

Prevents age-related damage: Our organs degenerate with age as a result of prolonged oxidative stress. This process becomes faster when you have a large number of free radicals in the body. As a result, you will notice signs like poor vision, poor organ function or even poor cognitive function at a much earlier stage in life. Consuming antioxidants may prevent these conditions entirely or at least delay them for as long as possible. 

Higher energy levels: When the toxins in the body are eliminated at regular intervals, you feel more energized. This is because the resources of the body are not being wasted on fighting these free radicals. 

 Although there are several natural sources of antioxidants that you can include in your regular diet, it is a good idea to use an antioxidant supplement. They give you a high dosage of beneficial antioxidants and are also a lot more convenient to use. However, before you include any supplement in your diet, make sure that you consult your doctor or health care provider. 

Disclaimer: No Deccan Chronicle journalist was involved in creation of this content. The group also takes no responsibility for this content.