Antioxidant Research

Ever since scientists first discovered the significant link between degenerative diseases and the presence of free radicals in the body, masses of antioxidant research has occupied the scientific community. Antioxidants, it seemed, were the only substances that work specifically against free radicals, neutralizing them and in the process preventing or repairing the damage they caused.

Antioxidant research is what’s behind the saying "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Though antioxidants aren’t necessarily restricted to apples, antioxidant research has found that apples are one of the many rich sources of antioxidants found in fruits.

Antioxidant Research: Antioxidant-Rich Foods

So far, the largest and most advanced antioxidant research that has ever been tackled by the scientific community came up with the most unexpected sources of disease-fighting antioxidants. You might find it surprising to find that among those that’s going to occupy the top spots of best antioxidant food sources are unlikely fruits and vegetables, such as beans, artichokes, and even the Russet potato.

Blueberries might have been heralded in recent years for their high antioxidant content but this current antioxidant research suggests that small red beans may contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than both wild and cultivated blueberries. In fact, three of the top five antioxidant rich foods studied in this antioxidant research were beans.

The antioxidant research study also included a selection of nuts and spices for their antioxidant capacity test. Among the nuts and spices, ground cloves, cinnamon, and oregano are rich in antioxidants. It might do you good to sprinkle some of these spices in your everyday food to boost your antioxidant levels in the body.

Antioxidant Research: The Harmful Effects of Oxidation

Oxidation is essential for survival. It is a natural bodily process which normally occurs every time we breathe or do something. It is our body’s way of metabolizing nutrients, breaking them down to provide energy which we need in order to perform our normal functions. But as good and as important as oxidation is, it can likewise have negative ripple effect on our system.

During the process of oxidation, harmful byproducts such as free radicals are produced. These free radicals are highly reactive and they act by snatching away electrons from stable molecules, causing damage to cell membranes, cell nucleus, and the cell DNA they contain. Such destruction could lead to degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s.

Recent antioxidant research has led to the belief that antioxidants may play a role in preventing the onset of such diseases. By neutralizing free radicals, antioxidants actually aid in the prevention and perhaps even cure of life-threatening diseases like cancer.