Understanding Antioxidants

There are not a lot of people who especially want to be sick, but at the same time, there are not a lot of people who truly know how important antioxidants are for keeping them healthy. The simplest way to explain antioxidants is that they help the body by impairing the oxidation of other molecules. Of course, this might sound like a bad thing, but actually, there are molecules that you probably do not want oxidized! For instance, a lot of brain disease is caused by the oxidation of certain molecules. Furthermore, antioxidants can prevent heart disease. Finally, your body can over-oxidize during exercise, which can contribute to muscle fatigue. Because of all this, it is vital for each person to understand what antioxidants are and to also understand how to get antioxidants into the body.

One example of antioxidants is certain vitamins such as Vitamin C and Vitamin E. A great source of antioxidants, therefore, is those fruits and vegetables so many people try to avoid. If you have a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables, you will be introducing more antioxidants into your body, and you will be decreasing your body's susceptibility to disease.

Another wonderful way to introduce antioxidants into your body is by eating fish. By eating certain fish - with salmon, grouper, and flounder among the best of them - you can help your body a ton by giving it antioxidants along with important proteins and minerals. You will also increase your intake of antioxidants if you cook this fish in extra virgin olive oil.

Finally, three easy ways to add antioxidants into your body are by drinking green tea, eating dark chocolate, and drinking red wine. Small doses of dark chocolate and red wine are great for you body (but keep in mind that large doses of either are not!). And as for green tea, you can add antioxidants into your body and have a thoroughly relaxing drink, all at the same time. By any of these three ways, you can keep yourself healthier, and will probably enjoy doing so in the process.

While it is very easy to just consume whatever we want and not pay attention to what is good and what is bad, it is nearly as easy to actually learn and pay attention. And by simply taking the time to watch what you put into your body, you will keep your body healthier, and you will enjoy life a whole lot more.