What are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable molecules known as free radicals. Antioxidants help to neutralise these potentially harmful but naturally occurring by-products.

Unchecked free radicals can cause cell damage. Over time such damage can lead to disease. This is where antioxidants come in because they play a role of mopping up free radicals before they can cause harm.

Antioxidants include vitamins A, C & E which can be taken in supplements but better still are found in a variety of fruit and vegetables mostly those colourful ones.

Make sure your diet is rich in the following:

Add raisins, sultanas, fresh dates, figs, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

Make sure to introduce garlic and ginger to your diet.

Bioflavonoids are a powerful antioxidant and their compounds is what gives fruit and vegetables their colour. They assist with the absorption of vitamin C and they have antiviral, anticancer and antiallergenic properties. The main source comes from citrus fruits and from a lesser degree and fruits including berries. Bioflavanoids are usually found in the pulp rather than juiced fruit. On the vegetable front parsley, green pepper, broccoli, onions and tomatoes are good sources plus green tea and, wait for it, red wine.

It is claimed that a high bioflavonoid intake is linked to a lower risk of heart attack.

This is not a definitive list but you’ll get the picture and remember try to eat as much of the above raw to get the full benefit of their contents.