What are antioxidants? Antioxidants are substances that help combat cell damage. More precisely, they help prevent damage caused by free radicals which are harmful compounds. Free radicals can cause multiple illnesses like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Our bodies already contain antioxidants, but they can also be enriched with food.

Benefits

Antioxidants help prevent oxidative stress, also known as oxidative damage. Oxidative stress can be caused by smoking, pollution, consumption of certain foods, and more. Antioxidants also support healthy aging by protecting our DNA. They can help with mental and brain health as well, keeping us focused and productive longer on tasks at hand. Not only that but they can help maintain healthy eye functions. It is believed that they could help prevent cancer, but more research has to be done to fully confirm this. Some studies have shown that they could help our hearts by lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Our bodies can produce antioxidants by themselves. Sleep is a great way of getting antioxidants without in-taking anything. Give yourself a favor and try our Zen Orange Juice filled with antioxidants!

Vitamins

The reason why antioxidants are healthy is that they contain vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, manganese, and more. The best sources of antioxidants are plant-based, found in various fruits and vegetables. You would get vitamin A from eggs, dairies, and liver. Vitamin C, on the other hand, can be found in most fruits and vegetables. Vitamin E is located in nuts and seeds, specific oils, and some green vegetables. Bright-colored fruits and vegetables like carrots, mangoes, pumpkins, peas, and spinach contain beta-carotene. Lycopene can be found in red-colored fruits and veggies, like tomatoes and watermelons. Some green vegetables, papaya, corn, and oranges have lutein.

Foods rich in antioxidants

Spinach is rich in nutrients and high in antioxidants, it’s actually one of the best sources of lutein which helps protect our eyes from deteriorating. Beetroot is rich in a specific antioxidant called betalains which some studies have shown to help prevent colon and digestive tract cancer. Beans are another great choice to increase your antioxidant intake because they’re inexpensive and can help with chronic inflammation and suppressing cancer. Various berries are a brilliant choice as well, ranging from strawberries to blueberries. All of them are packed with antioxidants and contain many, many health benefits. The most amazing thing is, they’re not only found in fruits and veggies! Dark chocolate also contains antioxidants, to the delight of us all! There are also beverages we can drink to get antioxidants. Various teas, juices, or even specific coffees, are a great source of them!

As with anything else, antioxidants should be taken in proper dosages as overstepping them could potentially be harmful. It’s always a good idea to have a word with your doctor before trying something new. For instance, overdosing on beta-carotene can increase the risk of lung cancer in smokers. It is also important to note that antioxidants might not interact properly with some medications. Vitamin E can increase the risk of bleeding in people who take anticoagulant drugs. Don't worry though, that's why you have our Pure Green Juice to take care of everything for you!

Other uses

Antioxidants are good for a great many things, not just our overall health. They can be used as food additives to prevent food deterioration. Oxidation of food happens when it’s exposed to sunlight and oxygen. For instance, unsaturated fats turn rancid when exposed to oxidation. They can also be added to industrial products, one of the most common being stabilizers in fuels and lubricants to prevent oxidation. They can also polymerization in gasoline. Not only that but antioxidant preservatives can be added to fat-based cosmetics such as moisturizers and lipstick to prevent them from turning rancid.

Having a balanced diet helps us live longer and better and our antioxidant-packed Buda Juices help us with just that!