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What do I risk if I lack antioxidants?

Are antioxidants essential to my well-being? Where can I find them? In which foods and especially what do I risk if I lack antioxidants?

We often hear that we should eat 5 fruits and vegetables a day, but do you know why? In fact, this recommendation comes from a scientific study that shows the role of antioxidants for our health.

Fruits and vegetables are a very good source of antioxidants but there are many others such as tea and cascara which is an excellent health drink made from coffee. Many studies have shown the importance of antioxidants for health, which is why it is very important to ensure that you consume them regularly and vary the sources

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants can be quite varied, and can be defined as certain micronutrients and vitamins found in certain products in our diet. The main role of antioxidants is to protect our cells from premature aging. To do this, antioxidants act against the free radicals naturally present in our body.

Forms of antioxidants in our diet

Antioxidants are naturally present in a variety of foods. They include ascorbic acid, polyphenols, flavonoids and phenolic acids. 

Here are the different forms of antioxidants found in our food:

  • Vitamin C: You should eat enough fruit and vegetables, including peppers, oranges, kiwi, cabbage, and strawberries.
  • Vitamin E: found in vegetable oils, butter, eggs and also margarine.
  • Zinc: whole grains, green vegetables and meat are an excellent source of zinc.
  • Selenium: Meat, dairy products, eggs and fish are a very good source of this mineral.
  • Polyphenols: tea and especially cascara are an excellent source.

Cascara, a little-known source of antioxidants

To determine the amount of antioxidants in a food, the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) is used to express it. According to the ORAC scale, cascara is the 4th highest source of antioxidants. According to numerous studies, the antioxidants in this superfood come from the polyphenols it contains. 

This is why it is very interesting to add cascara drink to your diet, as it is not only refreshing but also very beneficial to your health.

Lack of antioxidants : The dangers of free radicals

Free radicals are molecules that our body makes that are missing an electron, their main role is to make energy. In a chemical reaction called oxidation, the radicals remove an electron from the body's cells and damage them. This causes many malfunctions and premature ageing of the body's cells.

Antioxidants work by providing free radicals with the electrons they need, so they don't have to pull them out of the body's cells. One might think that free radicals are not beneficial to the body, but they are involved in many immune mechanisms. They help to fight certain bacteria and viruses.

When there are a lot of free radicals, we talk about oxidative stress, which means that our body does not have enough antioxidants to balance it. In this case, the cells start to break down and die, which causes the premature appearance of wrinkles, but also certain serious diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver. The DNA of the cells can also be damaged, which can be responsible for many cancers.

The production of free radicals can increase due to external factors such as exposure to UV radiation, pollution, unbalanced diet and smoking. In this case, you should ensure that you consume more antioxidants.

The benefits of antioxidants on the body

First of all, it is very important to consume a sufficient amount of antioxidants, as they can prevent the onset of many diseases.

Antioxidants have a major role in reducing the level of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body. This helps protect against cardiovascular disease and the risk of heart failure. Also, studies have shown that a daily intake of antioxidants from various sources can reduce the risk of cancer by 30%.

Zeaxanthin, an antioxidant found in cauliflower and corn, helps reduce the risk of degeneration of eye cells that occur with age, so your vision is protected and the risk of developing cataracts is reduced.

Many studies have also shown that vitamin E and beta-carotene (antioxidants), are very beneficial for people living in a nitrogen-polluted environment. Indeed, they act by decreasing the oxidation of certain harmful molecules contained in the air.

Finally, antioxidants help to limit the ageing of the skin, particularly when it is constantly exposed to UV rays. They help to limit the appearance of wrinkles, but also to keep the skin clear without the brown spots that appear due to oxidation.

We hope you have found this article useful.

The Cascara Society team

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