Everything You Need To Know About Antioxidants.

on Fri 1 Oct

 

Everything You Need To Know About Antioxidants.

You have probably heard of the term antioxidants numerous times. But do you know what they are, and how they work?

 Fear not; we are going to take you through everything you need to know about antioxidants today – just keep on reading!

What are antioxidants?

Simply put, they are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals (unstable atoms), but more on those later. Your body has its antioxidant defences to keep these free radicals in check. 

Antioxidants can also be found in a variety of foods such as berries, artichokes, kale, and even dark chocolate. There are also several vitamins, such as vitamin E and C, that act as effective antioxidants. They have an array of benefits for your body, both inside and out. 
 
Antioxidants such as vitamins, polyphenols and flavonoids can slow down collagen degradation by reducing the concentration of free radicals in the tissues. They can stimulate your body’s new collagen production while protecting your existing collagen from free radicals. But what are polyphenols and flavonoids? They are both phytonutrients, which are plant foods that contain thousands of natural chemicals.
 
Polyphenols naturally protect plants from environmental stresses, and their job is to withstand this stress. It has been demonstrated that polyphenols can do the same for the skin by visibly repairing environmental damage and protecting against free radicals. Flavonoids are compounds that are naturally found in fruits and vegetables; they can help your body ward off everyday toxins and keep it healthy. 

How do they protect against free radicals? 

Let’s start with what free radicals are - they are unstable molecules/atoms that are naturally formed when you exercise and when your body converts food into energy. You can also be exposed to free radicals from a variety of environmental sources such as air pollution and sunlight. The free radicals can cause oxidative stress, a process where cells can be damaged, this happens when free radicals outnumber antioxidants. 

 

Oxidative stress can damage your DNA and other important molecules in your body. Some scientists believe that it plays a pivotal role in the ageing process. As the skin begins to oxidise over time, fine lines, wrinkles, and discolouration can become more prominent. These signs also occur after collagen begins to degrade from oxidative stress. These free radicals break cells down, and as we age, the body loses its ability to fight the effects. 

Antioxidants are said to help neutralise the free radicals in your body, which can boost your overall health. However, it’s important to note that no single antioxidant can combat the effects of every free radical though, they each behave differently due to their chemical properties.

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