Antioxidants: How They Work And What Their Benefits Are

Some foods are said to have a particularly positive effect on health due to certain ingredients. This includes those with a high proportion of antioxidants. You can find out what that is and how the substances work here.

The radical scavengers: antioxidants

Antioxidants are chemical compounds that counteract the oxidation process. This is created by reacting with oxygen. A vivid example is the browning of sliced ​​apples. As an antidote, the fruit is often sprinkled with lemon juice, which contains vitamin C as a natural antioxidant. Antioxidants are said to have a similar effect in the human body. They are designed to scavenge free radicals that our metabolism naturally produces. In excessively high numbers, they can lead to oxidative stress and thus to cell-damaging processes. Too much UV radiation, for example, can release skin-damaging radicals and lead to the formation of wrinkles. It is the subject of research whether and how exactly antioxidants can prevent this.

Vegetables, fruit & Co. as the main source: secondary plant substances

What is certain is that antioxidants in their natural form are mainly found in secondary plant substances. Fruit, vegetables, cold-pressed oils, spices, tea, coffee, and eggs are sources with a high content of carotenoids, polyphenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, etc. The supposedly positive effect of these substances on health is one reason why superfoods are booming and it there are numerous dietary supplements with secondary plant substances. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) considers the scientific data to be insufficient to make recommendations for the intake of individual antioxidants. However, a diet that is largely based on vegetables, fruit, whole grain products, legumes, and nuts has a positive effect on health for many reasons. With this diet, you automatically take in many secondary plant substances.

Eat colorfully!

According to the current state of knowledge, taking anti-oxidant capsules to fight cancer or drinking juice to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease does not work. With a varied, plant-based diet, however, you will in any case consume many valuable vital substances, which together are positive for the body. So feel free to include brain foods such as berries, fish, and avocados in your diet more often or eat more vegetable oils. You can use the colors as a guide here because the pigments in plants belong to the antioxidants. The more colorful the mixture on the plate, the better. A simple rule of thumb that can easily be implemented in everyday life.