Antioxidants: One of the many benefits of Fruit and Veg!

So what are they?

Antioxidants are nutrients found in food that slow the oxidative damage to our body that is caused from free radicals. Free radicals are by products that are produced when we use oxygen, therefore, the more we exercise, the more oxygen we use, resulting in more free radicals! So, we need to combat these free radicals which are why we need to eat lots of antioxidants as they act as ‘free radical scavengers’!

Antioxidant’s help to prevent the damage from occurring and also assist in repairing the damage that has been caused by the free radicals

What damage do these free radicals cause?

Damage to our skin, making us even wrinklier!!

Contribute to causing diabetes

Contribute towards cancer

How can we prevent this damage from free radicals?

Contributing factor to cancer London researchers claim that “5 portions of fruit and veg will reduce the risk of stroke by 25%

Highly coloured fruits and vegetables are high in antioxidants, and are the most common.

Examples: probably the most common antioxidants

Blueberries, Tomatoes, Carrots, Squash, Peaches, Apricots, Strawberries

Also, nuts and seeds and wholegrain as well as leafy green vegetables, and believe it or not soy, tea and red wine!!! (so it’s not all bad then!!)

The great thing is that not only are these all great examples of antioxidants but they are also packed full of vitamins, natural sugars in the fruit, carbohydrate as well and roughage!! So get eating!!