Antioxidants   ○ Antioxidants, which simply means anti-oxygen, are said to protect our body cells from oxygen damage (oxidation).   ○ Antioxidants have not been yet proven to prevent cancer or to reverse aging. Studies are contradictory.   ○ Different antioxidants are said to be beneficial to different body parts and functions. Remember to eat a varied diet that includes all vitamins, minerals, good fats, and whole grains every day.   ○ There are, according to studies and research, health benefits from eating antioxidant foods found in nature, but not from supplements.   ○ Who knew that we could get too much oxygen? But, we can, especially when we engage in sports and activities that require its use.   ○ Antioxidants attach themselves to free radicals in our bodies and help prevent damage to our healthy cells.   ○ Once a molecule in our body is oxidized (oxygen affected) it becomes a free radical, and free radicals can cause health problems.   ○ When we expose ourselves to pollution (cigarette smoke, smog, chemicals) and loads of direct sunlight, we may actually be encouraging our bodies to produce too many free radicals.   ○ When we engage in exercise, our bodies need more oxygen than when we are sedentary and free radical formation is likely.   ○ When our diet is high fat and/or sugar, we may be promoting free radicals. Tip: eat those berries, carrots, walnuts, almonds, ginger foods, soy foods, tomatoes, red grapes, pomegranates, garlic foods, and don't forget the broccoli. There are other antioxidant foods, but these are a good start.   ○ One antioxidant fights one free radical (it's a one on one).   Tip: Antioxidants in green tea and olive oil are said to lose their value over time. Consume them within six months and buy them as fresh as possible. Store them in a dark, cool area.

Fresh Herbs Count!   The best sources of Antioxidants: (ranked in order of importance)   Small red beans, 1/2 cup dried Wild blueberries, 1 cup Red kidney beans, 1/2 cup dried Pinto beans, 1/2 cup dried Cranberries, 1 cup Artichoke hearts, 1 cup cooked Blackberries, 1 cup Dried prunes, 1/2 cup Raspberries, 1 cup Strawberries, 1 cup Red delicious, 1 apple Granny Smith, 1 apple Pecans, 1 ounce Cherries, 1 cup Black plum, one Russet potato, one cooked Black Beans, 1/2 cup Plum, one Gala, 1 apple    ○ Not all antioxidants foods are mentioned here (green tea, olive oil, onion, garlic, turmeric) and there are many found in different foods and beverages.   ○ Although ambiguous and confusing, there appears to be agreement among scientists that antioxidant health benefits come from eating a varied and balanced diet, so remember to enjoy them all in their natural form every day!   ○ Loading up on antioxidants vitamin supplements does not appear to help in the aging process, nor is it advisable.