Scientists are finding that antioxidants are important in many functions of the body because they neutralize free radicals which are destructive to those same functions. Antioxidants have been linked to improved heart health, brain function and fighting cancer. It's easier to understand antioxidants if we first understand free radicals.
Free Radicals
You may remember from chemistry that atoms with even numbers of electrons in their outer shell are more stable than atoms with uneven numbers. A free radical is an molecule with an atom that is missing an electron in its outer shell. They are unstable and always looking to steal an electron from somewhere.
Free radicals are produced through exposure to toxins such as environmental fumes, smoke, radiation or other pollutants. They wander through the body until they can steal an electron from another molecule which in turn becomes a free radical. None of this would be a problem except that they steal electrons from the molecules in cell membranes which then malfunction. The cell doesnt do its job because the loss of the electron changes the way it interacts with other molecules in the body. So it may not take in a nutrient, or it may not attach to a hormone when its supposed to. The biochemistry of the body is dependent on trillions of these cellular interactions every day.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are substances that contain molecules with the wonderful property of being able to give up an electron to a free radical without becoming unstable themselves. So they are able to neutralize a free radical and prevent it from doing further damage.
Antioxidants are in many fruits and vegetables, vitamins C and E are known to be antioxidant. Many manufacturers now produce fruit-based drinks that are very high in antioxidants. There is now a standard measurement for the strength of an antioxidants called the ORAC value.
ORAC Ratings
ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. It is useful when comparing antioxidants. However be careful to notice whether the ORAC values are per 100 grams, per one fluid ounce, or some other quantity. An ORAC rating of 5770 (prunes) based on 100 grams will only be 577 if based on 10 grams. For some reason the labs that do the measuring dont use the same basis so it is difficult to compare the marketing information on various products.
Are Antioxidants Important?
We live in a very toxic world and our typical diet doesnt give urban populations what they need to fight the toxins. The cells in your body will thank you if you take a little effort to eat more antioxidants. You've probably heard it beforeeat your fruits and vegetables every day. On days when you can't get enough fruits and vegetables, it's a good idea to take a supplement of antioxidants.
