Almost all of our important antioxidants such as vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium can be obtained from fresh vegetables and fruits. Agricultural process can have both a positive and a negative affect the level of antioxidants in our food depending on the processes used. For example, the constant farming of a particular patch of land can strip away nutrients from the soil leaving the harvested produce with fewer antioxidants.
Improper Farming Methods Reducing the Antioxidants in our Food
It should also be noted that the presence of toxins will negate the benefits of antioxidants. Pesticides and artificial fertilizers could add substances that will not only endanger our health, but also reduce the amount of antioxidants in the foods we eat. Studies have shown that the amount of antioxidants could be 40 percent higher in food products that are produced or grown with organic methods raising concerns about non-organically farmed produce. To increase the intake of antioxidants, add more vegetables and fruits in your diet and try to choose organically grown produce for even greater benefits.
What Foods to Eat
It can be confusing to know where to start, because there are many types of foods that provide us with antioxidants. However, a proper mix of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet will ensure that you are getting enough from the foods you eat. However not all food products are created equal. Red meat, starch-rich produce and processed foods have fewer antioxidants whereas nuts, strawberries, broccoli, spinach, blueberries, apples and red bell peppers are richer ensuring sufficient daily intake.
Deciding what to eat a good rule of thumb is to choose produce with vibrant or deep colours. Anthocyanin, beta carotene and other substances in these colourful foods, work as potent antioxidants and can be added to our diets quite easily.
It is also important to ensure good absorption of the foods we put into our bodies. Proper hydration and dietary fiber are two essential components that will maximize the amount of nutrients our body absorbs, ensuring that we will be healthier. The relationship between antioxidants and the foods that we eat is important as antioxidants provide our bodies with the ability to fight off many illnesses that could weaken us and make us more susceptible to more serious disease later on such as cardiovascular disease.
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