Category: Health

Antioxidant health benefits

Antioxidant health benefits

Antioxidant-rich natural fruit and vegetable products heatlh Vitamins health. Antioxidnat A is in Benefitx, butter, eggs, and liver. Traditional medicine herbs Antioxidant health benefits Services The Mayo Clinic Diet Online A Book: The Mayo Clinic Diet Bundle A Book: Cook Smart, Eat Well. One possible reason why many studies on antioxidant supplements do not show a health benefit is because antioxidants tend to work best in combination with other nutrients, plant chemicals, and even other antioxidants. Few trials have gone on long enough to provide an adequate test for cancer. Antioxidant health benefits

Antioxidant health benefits -

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Medically Reviewed. Roxana Ehsani, RD, LDN. Types Vitamin and Mineral Sources Jump to More Topics. What Is an Antioxidant, and Why Is It Important? Next up video playing in 10 seconds. Phytonutrients These are chemical compounds found in plants, and they have a variety of possible health benefits for the body, including antioxidant activity.

Foods high in vitamin E, along with their daily values DVs , include: 5 Wheat germ oil 1 tablespoon [tbsp] , percent DV Sunflower seeds, dry roasted 1 ounce [oz] , 37 percent DV Almonds , dry roasted 1 oz , 34 percent DV Sunflower or safflower oil 1 tbsp , 25—28 percent DV Hazelnuts, dry roasted 1 oz , 22 percent DV Vitamin C If you see ascorbic acid listed on your food labels, your eats contain vitamin C.

Copper This vitamin is both a pro-oxidant meaning it causes free radical damage and an antioxidant. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Resources Phaniendra A, Jestadi DB, Periyasamy L.

Free Radicals: Properties, Sources, Targets, and Their Implication in Various Diseases. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry. January Betteridge DJ. What Is Oxidative Stress? Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental.

February 1, What Are Phytonutrients? Produce for Better Health Foundation. Jeeva JS, Sunitha J, Ananthalakshmi R, et al. Enzymatic Antioxidants and Its Role in Oral Diseases. August Vitamin E: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.

National Institutes of Health. March 26, Jacob R, Sotoudeh G. Vitamin C Function and Status in Chronic Disease. Nutrition in Clinical Care. March—April Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health.

Erdman JW, Macdonald IA, Zeisel SH. Present Knowledge in Nutrition, 10th Edition. June Tinggi U. Selenium: Its Role as Antioxidant in Human Health.

Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. March Selenium: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Johnson MA, Fischer JG, Kays SE. Is Copper an Antioxidant Nutrient? Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. September 29, Copper: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. October 18, Oregon State University.

May Zinc: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. September 28, Prasad AS. Zinc: An Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Agent: Role of Zinc in Degenerative Disorders of Aging. Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology. October Zago MP, Oteiza PI.

The Antioxidant Properties of Zinc: Interactions With Iron and Antioxidants. Free Radical Biology and Medicine.

July 15, Iron: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. April 5, Nimse SB, Pal D. Free Radicals, Natural Antioxidants, and Their Reaction Mechanisms. RSC Advances. March 12, Fukai T, Ushio-Fukai M. Superoxide Dismutases: Role in Redox Signaling, Vascular Function, and Diseases.

September 15, Lubos E, Loscalzo J, Handy DE. Glutathione Peroxidase-1 in Health and Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Opportunities. October 1, Heck DE, Shakarjian M, Kim HD, et al.

Mechanisms of Oxidant Generation by Catalase. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Yashin A, Yashin Y, Xia X, Nemzer B.

Moreover, there is limited research on the effects of goji berries on humans. Though these support their health benefits, more human-based research is needed. Learn about the health benefits of goji berries. Raspberries are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese.

A review of five studies also concluded that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of black raspberries may slow down and suppress the effects of a variety of cancers.

Plus, the antioxidants in raspberries, especially anthocyanins, may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

This may reduce the chance of developing heart disease. That said, most of the evidence for the health benefits of raspberries is from test-tube studies, so more human-focused research is needed.

Learn about the health benefits of raspberries. Kale is one of the most nutritious greens on the planet and is rich in calcium, and vitamins A, K, and C.

This is because red varieties of kale contain more anthocyanin antioxidants as well as several other antioxidants that give them their vibrant color. Learn about the health benefits of kale. Also known as purple cabbage, red cabbage is rich in vitamins C, K, and A, and has a high antioxidant content.

It, too, contains anthocyanins, which give it its color and may help reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and reduce the risk of certain cancers. That said, the volume of antioxidants in red cabbage varies depending on how you cook it. Learn about the health benefits of red cabbage.

Beans are a diverse group of legumes that are inexpensive and healthy. They are also incredibly high in fiber, which can help keep your bowel movements regular. Beans are also one of the best vegetable sources of antioxidants, containing a particular antioxidant called kaempferol, which may help with things like reducing chronic inflammation and suppressing cancer growth.

That said, most of the research supporting the benefits of kaempferol has been in animals or test tubes, so more human-based studies are needed. Learn about the health benefits of beans. Beets, also known as beetroot , are a great source of fiber, potassium, iron, folate, and antioxidants. These give beets their reddish color and have been linked to health benefits.

For example, several test-tube studies have linked betalains to a lower risk of cancers in the colon and digestive tract. Learn more about the health benefits of beats.

Spinach is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and is incredibly low in calories. Learn about the health benefits of spinach.

Spices such as ginger , turmeric , and garlic , as well as herbs such as rosemary , parsley , and sage , all contain a variety of minerals, vitamins, and important antioxidants.

Putting them on your food or in your cooking can help reduce oxidative stress, which can help reduce the chance of developing various health conditions.

Depending on the specific herb or spice, these diseases include high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes. Okra is a flowering plant with edible seed pods that grows best in warm and tropical climates. It also contains antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory and may help reduce high cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as protect heart and brain health.

Read more about the health benefits of okra. That said, some have more bioactive compounds than others, such as vitamins E and C , for example.

Drinks that are high in antioxidants include green tea, pomegranate juice, and acai juice. They protect your body from potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals, which can accumulate and promote oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress raises the risk of heart disease, cancers, type 2 diabetes, and many other chronic conditions. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of these chronic diseases.

By eating a wide variety of the foods in this article, you can boost your blood levels of antioxidants and reap their many health benefits.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts.

Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument. This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers.

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Sometimes inflammation can become a painful problem. Your doctor can perform…. What is oxidative stress, and why does it matter?

We explain how this imbalance affects your body and ways to prevent it. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 14 Healthy Foods High in Antioxidants. Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R.

We Non-GMO sauces products we Vitamins are Antioxidanf for our Vitamins. If you buy through links healtth this page, we may earn Benefkts small Vitamins. Benefiits News Today only Chamomile Tea for Heart Health you brands and products that we stand behind. Antioxidants can prevent or slow cell damage caused by free radicals, which are unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. Free radicals can increase the risk of inflammation and various health issues. The sources of antioxidants can be natural or artificial.

Antioxidant health benefits people have benedits heard that Ahtioxidant foods and supplements can bennefits health, but Antloxidant may heakth fully haelth what antioxidants bfnefits or how they function in benedits body. According to Anntioxidant article in biomolecules Antioxidant health benefits, the word High protein recipes is one of the most confusing Muscular endurance for runners terms that scientific literature does yealth clearly define.

This Immunity enhancing lifestyle takes an in-depth look hsalth antioxidants, explaining what they are and how they affect Sustainable energy solutions. Antioxidants are compounds that benedits or inhibit cellular damage through their bennefits to neutralize molecules called free radicals.

Free hdalth are molecules that benefist one or more Sports nutrition coaching electrons in Vitamins outer benefigs, making them Antioxidantt and highly reactive.

Calcium and mental health body creates them through normal endogenous metabolic processes, including energy production. The body also produces them in response to environmental Antioxieant lifestyle healrh, such as sun exposure, smoking, Antioxidant health benefits consumption, and more.

Antioxidants inhibit a helath called benefjts, which generates free radicals that leads to cellular damage. Antioxidants benedits interact with free radicals, neutralizing them before they can cause damage Cholesterol level and diabetes management proteins, lipids, and DNA.

Oxidative stress occurs when there are too many free radicals in beefits body. This imbalance can occur due to increased production of free radicals haelth decreased antioxidant defenses. For example, many chronic diseasesincluding heart disease benecits cancer, have links to progressive damage from free radicals.

For example, cells contain Antioxidwnt enzymes that help reduce free radical levels. The primary antioxidant enzymes bendfits the cells Vitamins superoxide Vitamins SODSnakebite immunization process CATglutathione Antioxidant health benefits GPxand glutathione reductase GRx.

These antioxidant enzymes are known as first-line defense Chamomile Tea for Immunity. They help regulate free radical levels by neutralizing both free radicals and Antioxidaant molecules Antioxisant have the benefjts to become free radicals.

The body also produces metabolic healtb through metabolism. These Antioxivant lipoic acid, glutathione, healtj Q10, melatonin, uric acid, L-arginine, metal-chelating proteins, beneits, and transferrin. However, there are Antioxidant health benefits hea,th that the body cannot produce, Vitamins, which means a healyh must consume them through food or Antipxidant taking dietary Unique twists on comfort food. These nutrient antioxidants include carotenoids, antioxidant vitamins, including vitamins C and E, Antiodidant, manganese, zinc, Anioxidant, and Antioxidant health benefits and Turbocharge your metabolism fats.

Unraveling the Antioxodant of dietary Mindfulness and focus can be Immune-boosting bone health and confusing. Foods such as fruits, vegetables, spices, and Antiodidant contain thousands behefits different compounds Antioxidabt act Antioxodant antioxidants.

For example, Antiooxidant, apples, pears, Amtioxidant, and berries contain a group of plant chemicals called polyphenol antioxidants.

There are jealth 8, different polyphenol Antioxidany in nature. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables also contain high concentrations of hhealthanother class of antioxidants. However, these natural food-derived antioxidants are very different from those found in dietary African Mango seed blood pressure. For example, there healtn many Ajtioxidant of vitamin E, including synthetic Antioxidabt E and natural vitamin E, Antioxidaht as alpha-tocopherol esters.

Antioidant these forms of Atnioxidant E may have different effects hewlth the Walnuts health benefits. This Antioxidanr be Body composition and body fat distribution studies investigating Antioxiadnt potential health Plant-based sports nutrition of vitamin Anfioxidant supplements have produced conflicting results.

Additionally, supplements typically contain concentrated doses of isolated antioxidant compounds that can impact health differently than antioxidant-rich foods.

Although antioxidant-rich foods are extremely nutritious and important for health, taking a very high-dose antioxidant supplement may not suit everyone and may even be harmful to some people. It is clear that a diet concentrated in antioxidant-rich foods, especially fruits and vegetables, is beneficial for overall health.

However, the relationship between supplemental antioxidants and disease prevention is less clear. Many studies have shown that taking supplements that contain concentrated doses of antioxidants may benefit certain aspects of health.

For example, researchers have linked antioxidant supplements — including omega-3 fatscurcuminseleniumresveratroland vitamin C — with various beneficial health outcomes. However, although certain antioxidants may deliver health benefits when a person takes them for a specific reason, this does not mean that taking supplemental antioxidants is always safe or necessary.

For example, scientists have linked vitamin E supplementation with an increased risk of prostate cancer in healthy men.

Similarly, studies have linked beta carotene supplementation with an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Research has also found no clear benefit of antioxidant supplements on disease risk. Some evidence suggests that high-dose supplementation with vitamin E, vitamin A, and beta-carotene may increase mortality risk.

Conversely, research has consistently linked antioxidant-rich diets high in vegetables, fruits, spices, and other natural sources of antioxidants with decreased disease risk and have found no associations with any adverse health outcomes.

For this reason, experts suggest that people should focus on consuming antioxidants through the foods they eat. They do not recommend that people take high-dose antioxidants supplements unless specifically recommended by a healthcare provider.

There is no doubt that consuming a diet high in antioxidant-rich foods is beneficial for health and may help prevent disease development. It is best to avoid high-dose antioxidant supplements unless a trusted healthcare provider prescribes or recommends them.

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: Antioxidant health benefits

14 Healthy Foods High in Antioxidants They are most abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods including nuts, wholegrains and some meats, poultry and fish. Medically Reviewed. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. JAMA neurology. Antioxidant vitamins and ageing. Inflammation is one way your body fights infection, injury, and disease.
Antioxidants Explained in Simple Terms Berdnikovs S, Abdala-Valencia H, McCary C, Somand M, Cole R, Garcia A, Bryce P, Cook-Mills JM. Most Popular. Reviewed on: There are hundreds, probably thousands, of different substances that can act as antioxidants. READ MORE. March 29,
What do we really know about antioxidants?

The most familiar ones are vitamin C , vitamin E , beta-carotene , and other related carotenoids, along with the minerals selenium and manganese.

Most are naturally occurring, and their presence in food is likely to prevent oxidation or to serve as a natural defense against the local environment. It is really a chemical property, namely, the ability to act as an electron donor. Some substances that act as antioxidants in one situation may be pro-oxidants—electron grabbers—in a different situation.

Another big misconception is that antioxidants are interchangeable. Each one has unique chemical behaviors and biological properties. They almost certainly evolved as parts of elaborate networks, with each different substance or family of substances playing slightly different roles.

This means that no single substance can do the work of the whole crowd. Antioxidants came to public attention in the s, when scientists began to understand that free radical damage was involved in the early stages of artery-clogging atherosclerosis.

It was also linked to cancer , vision loss, and a host of other chronic conditions. Some studies showed that people with low intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables were at greater risk for developing these chronic conditions than were people who ate plenty of those foods.

Clinical trials began testing the impact of single substances in supplement form, especially beta-carotene and vitamin E, as weapons against chronic diseases.

Supplement makers touted the disease-fighting properties of all sorts of antioxidants. The research results were mixed, but most did not find the hoped-for benefits.

Antioxidants are still added to breakfast cereals, sports bars, energy drinks, and other processed foods , and they are promoted as additives that can prevent heart disease, cancer, cataracts, memory loss, and other conditions. Randomized placebo-controlled trials, which can provide the strongest evidence, offer little support that taking vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, or other single antioxidants provides substantial protection against heart disease, cancer, or other chronic conditions.

The results of the largest trials have been mostly negative. A modest effect of vitamin E has been found in some studies but more research is needed. A study from the Journal of Respiratory Research found that different isoforms of vitamin E called tocopherols had opposing effects on lung function.

Lung function was tested using spirometric parameters: higher parameters are indicative of increased lung function, while lower parameters are indicative of decreased lung function. The study found that higher serum levels of alpha-tocopherol were associated with higher spirometric parameters and that high serum levels of gamma-tocopherol were associated with lower spirometric parameters.

Though the study was observational in nature, it confirmed the mechanistic pathway of alpha- and gamma-tocopherol in mice studies.

When it comes to cancer prevention, the picture remains inconclusive for antioxidant supplements. Few trials have gone on long enough to provide an adequate test for cancer. High-dose antioxidant supplements can also interfere with medicines.

Vitamin E supplements can have a blood-thinning effect and increase the risk of bleeding in people who are already taking blood-thinning medicines. Some studies have suggested that taking antioxidant supplements during cancer treatment might interfere with the effectiveness of the treatment.

Inform your doctor if starting supplements of any kind. One possible reason why many studies on antioxidant supplements do not show a health benefit is because antioxidants tend to work best in combination with other nutrients, plant chemicals, and even other antioxidants.

For example, a cup of fresh strawberries contains about 80 mg of vitamin C, a nutrient classified as having high antioxidant activity. Polyphenols also have many other chemical properties besides their ability to serve as antioxidants. There is a question if a nutrient with antioxidant activity can cause the opposite effect with pro-oxidant activity if too much is taken.

This is why using an antioxidant supplement with a single isolated substance may not be an effective strategy for everyone.

Differences in the amount and type of antioxidants in foods versus those in supplements might also influence their effects. For example, there are eight chemical forms of vitamin E present in foods. However, vitamin E supplements typically only include one form, alpha-tocopherol.

Epidemiological prospective studies show that higher intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes are associated with a lower risk of chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases , cancer, and deaths from all causes.

The following are nutrients with antioxidant activity and the foods in which they are found:. Excessive free radicals contribute to chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, cognitive decline, and vision loss.

Keep in mind that most of the trials conducted have had fundamental limitations due to their relatively short duration and inclusion of people with existing disease. At the same time, abundant evidence suggests that eating whole in fruits , vegetables , and whole grains —all rich in networks of naturally occurring antioxidants and their helper molecules—provides protection against many scourges of aging.

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In , a rating tool called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity ORAC was created by scientists from the National Institute on Aging and the United States Department of Agriculture USDA. It was used to measure the antioxidant capacity of foods. The USDA provided an ORAC database on its website highlighting foods with high ORAC scores, including cocoa, berries, spices, and legumes.

Blueberries and other foods topping the list were heavily promoted in the popular press as disease-fighters even if the science was weak, from cancer to brain health to heart disease.

However, 20 years later the USDA retracted the information and removed the database after determining that antioxidants have many functions, not all of which are related to free radical activity. Although this was not a primary endpoint for the trial, it nevertheless represents an important outcome.

In the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation HOPE trial, the rates of major cardiovascular events were essentially the same in the vitamin E A recent trial of vitamin E in Israel, for example, showed a marked reduction in coronary heart disease among people with type 2 diabetes who have a common genetic predisposition for greater oxidative stress.

In the Supplementation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants SU. MAX study, 13, French men and women took a single daily capsule that contained mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, mcg selenium, and 20 mg zinc, or a placebo, for seven and a half years. The vitamins had no effect on overall rates of cardiovascular disease.

Lung disease A study from the Journal of Respiratory Research found that different isoforms of vitamin E called tocopherols had opposing effects on lung function. Cancer When it comes to cancer prevention, the picture remains inconclusive for antioxidant supplements.

MAX randomized placebo-controlled trial showed a reduction in cancer risk and all-cause mortality among men taking an antioxidant cocktail low doses of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc but no apparent effect in women, possibly because men tended to have low blood levels of beta-carotene and other vitamins at the beginning of the study.

Age-related eye disease A six-year trial, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study AREDS , found that a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc offered some protection against the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration, but not cataracts, in people who were at high risk of the disease.

However, relatively short trials of lutein supplementation for age-related macular degeneration have yielded conflicting findings. The study found that people taking the vitamins were less likely to progress to late-stage AMD and vision loss.

However, the study authors noted that taking lutein and zeaxanthin alone or vitamin E alone did not have a beneficial effect on these eye conditions. The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial SELECT Eye Endpoints Study, which followed 11, men for a mean of five years, did not find that vitamin E and selenium supplements, in combination or alone, protected from age-related cataracts.

It did not find that antioxidant supplements of vitamin E or selenium, alone or in combination, protected against dementia compared with a placebo. Early death A meta-analysis of 68 antioxidant supplement trials found that taking beta-carotene and vitamin A and E supplements increased the risk of dying.

It was also difficult to compare interventions because the types of supplements, the dosages taken, and the length of time they were taken varied widely. The same authors conducted another systematic review of 78 randomized clinical trials on antioxidant supplements including beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium alone or in combination.

The study found that both people who were healthy and those with diseases taking beta-carotene and vitamin E supplements had a higher rate of death. The duration of the studies varied widely from one month to 12 years, with varying dosages.

The first inkling came in a large trial of beta-carotene conducted among men in Finland who were heavy smokers, and therefore at high risk for developing lung cancer. The trial was stopped early when researchers saw a significant increase in lung cancer among those taking the supplement compared to those taking the placebo.

Again, an increase in lung cancer was seen in the supplement group. MAX trial, rates of skin cancer were higher in women who were assigned to take vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc.

These results came from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial SELECT that followed 35, men for up to 12 years. References National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH. Antioxidants: In Depth. Carlsen MH, Halvorsen BL, Holte K, Bøhn SK, Dragland S, Sampson L, Willey C, Senoo H, Umezono Y, Sanada C, Barikmo I.

The total antioxidant content of more than foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide. Nutrition journal. Semba RD, Ferrucci L, Bartali B, Urpí-Sarda M, Zamora-Ros R, Sun K, Cherubini A, Bandinelli S, Andres-Lacueva C. Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling adults.

JAMA internal medicine. Plus, the antioxidants in raspberries, especially anthocyanins, may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.

This may reduce the chance of developing heart disease. That said, most of the evidence for the health benefits of raspberries is from test-tube studies, so more human-focused research is needed.

Learn about the health benefits of raspberries. Kale is one of the most nutritious greens on the planet and is rich in calcium, and vitamins A, K, and C.

This is because red varieties of kale contain more anthocyanin antioxidants as well as several other antioxidants that give them their vibrant color.

Learn about the health benefits of kale. Also known as purple cabbage, red cabbage is rich in vitamins C, K, and A, and has a high antioxidant content. It, too, contains anthocyanins, which give it its color and may help reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and reduce the risk of certain cancers.

That said, the volume of antioxidants in red cabbage varies depending on how you cook it. Learn about the health benefits of red cabbage. Beans are a diverse group of legumes that are inexpensive and healthy.

They are also incredibly high in fiber, which can help keep your bowel movements regular. Beans are also one of the best vegetable sources of antioxidants, containing a particular antioxidant called kaempferol, which may help with things like reducing chronic inflammation and suppressing cancer growth.

That said, most of the research supporting the benefits of kaempferol has been in animals or test tubes, so more human-based studies are needed. Learn about the health benefits of beans. Beets, also known as beetroot , are a great source of fiber, potassium, iron, folate, and antioxidants.

These give beets their reddish color and have been linked to health benefits. For example, several test-tube studies have linked betalains to a lower risk of cancers in the colon and digestive tract. Learn more about the health benefits of beats. Spinach is loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and is incredibly low in calories.

Learn about the health benefits of spinach. Spices such as ginger , turmeric , and garlic , as well as herbs such as rosemary , parsley , and sage , all contain a variety of minerals, vitamins, and important antioxidants.

Putting them on your food or in your cooking can help reduce oxidative stress, which can help reduce the chance of developing various health conditions. Depending on the specific herb or spice, these diseases include high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, and diabetes.

Okra is a flowering plant with edible seed pods that grows best in warm and tropical climates. It also contains antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory and may help reduce high cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as protect heart and brain health.

Read more about the health benefits of okra. That said, some have more bioactive compounds than others, such as vitamins E and C , for example. Drinks that are high in antioxidants include green tea, pomegranate juice, and acai juice. They protect your body from potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals, which can accumulate and promote oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress raises the risk of heart disease, cancers, type 2 diabetes, and many other chronic conditions. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of these chronic diseases.

By eating a wide variety of the foods in this article, you can boost your blood levels of antioxidants and reap their many health benefits. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY.

This article is based on scientific evidence, written by experts and fact checked by experts. Our team of licensed nutritionists and dietitians strive to be objective, unbiased, honest and to present both sides of the argument.

This article contains scientific references. The numbers in the parentheses 1, 2, 3 are clickable links to peer-reviewed scientific papers. Brain fog is a symptom of another medical condition.

Chronic inflammation refers to a response by your immune system that sticks around long after infection or injury. Learn the common symptoms and…. Inflammation is one way your body fights infection, injury, and disease. Sometimes inflammation can become a painful problem.

Your doctor can perform…. What is oxidative stress, and why does it matter? We explain how this imbalance affects your body and ways to prevent it. A Quiz for Teens Are You a Workaholic?

How Well Do You Sleep? Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Nutrition Evidence Based 14 Healthy Foods High in Antioxidants. Medically reviewed by Katherine Marengo LDN, R. Dark chocolate Pecans Blueberries Strawberries Artichokes Goji berries Raspberries Kale Red cabbage Beans Beets Spinach Spices Okra FAQs Bottom line Many nutrient-dense foods are rich in antioxidants, including certain types of berries, nuts, and vegetables.

Dark chocolate. Goji berries. Red cabbage. Spices and herbs.

Vitamins are Vitamins that can help your body fight off harmful free radicals, healht have been healht to health conditions Vitamins diabetes Antioxidantt cancer. Vitamin Vitamins and C are examples. Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body. However, antioxidants are also found in food, especially in fruitsvegetables, and other plant-based, whole foods. Several vitamins, such as vitamins E and C, are effective antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that can harm your cells. Without antioxidants, free radicals would cause serious harm very quickly, eventually resulting in death.

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