The Significance Of Antioxidants To Human Health

By Chad Williams


Many doctors are advising fruits and vegetables to be included in a daily diet plan. There are many beneficial reasons to the suggestion, but one of the reasons is antioxidants that many fruit and veggies offer. However exactly what are antioxidants? What makes them extremely important?

Process of oxidation occurs in all places from slice of banana turning brownish color to rust in a machine. This is a natural activity which also occurs in a human body. Our body system normally handles oxidation well, but at times it leads to cell damage. The damaged cells are called free radicals, molecules with unpaired electron. Since it is unpaired, it will attempt to take an electron from another molecule. Once this reaction becomes excessive, it can easily lead to quite a few health issues such as cancer, heart problems and arthritis. Pollution, radiation and cigarette smoke also are a factor in the growth of free radicals. Antioxidants are substances that neutralize free radicals.

By providing an electron to free radicals, antioxidants protect against cell damage. It is important to consume foods that offer antioxidants on a daily basis to remain in a healthy condition. Many vegetables and fruit make the perfect source of antioxidants thanks to vitamins E and C. Vitamins are recognized to be one of the best antioxidants. Vegetables and fruit such as strawberry, kiwi, papaya, spinach, bell pepper, and broccoli are a great source of vitamin E and C. But these vitamins are not the only supply of antioxidants and in fact they are not the utmost source.

An increasing number of health professionals agree with the fact that Epigallocatechin or also known as EGCG is a more potent source of antioxidants than vitamins E and C. Many research workers agree that EGCG is 100 times more beneficial than vitamin C and 25 times more efficient compared to vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals. EGCG is an ingredient contained in green tea extract. Some of the widely known tea benefits include preventions against cancer, gaining weight, LDL cholesterol, depression and heart problems.

There have been a number of laboratory studies about the effects of green tea on cancer cells. The final results show the dose of 300mg of EGCG every day to be the best amount. A cup offers close to 100mg of EGCG. Far more studies are on the way, however for right now 3 cups on a daily basis seems to be a safe amount.

There are a number of methods to consume green tea. Conventional way is to brew and to drink the hot tea. This really is good particularly if taken with food. Another popular way is to combine green tea extract powder with vitamin water. Combining citrus juice with EGCG is actually known to increase the positive effects. A simple way is to take tea pills. This will work for folks disliking the flavor.




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