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- Tips on maintaining a healthy back and spine November 2010
- Three Tips on How to Keep Your Hips Healthy July 2010
- Vitamin D – how can it help you? July 2010
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Antioxidants. Why are they so important?
Antioxidants are substances or nutrients in foods and supplements which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals (by-products) which can cause damage to cells and tissue in our bodies. Antioxidants act as “free radical scavengers” and prevent and repair damage done by these free radicals. When we say something has antioxidant properties, it means that it protects cells from the daily toxic stress of oxidation.
Many health problems can be attributed to oxidative damage. A recent study conducted by researchers from London found that 5 servings of fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of stroke by 25 percent. Antioxidants may also enhance immune defense.
Here is a chart of the foods that are highest in antioxidant potential.
Rank | Food item | Serving size | Total antioxidant capacity |
1 | Small Red Bean (dried) | Half cup | 13,727 |
2 | Wild blueberry | 1 cup | 13,427 |
3 | Red kidney bean (dried) | Half cup | 13,259 |
4 | Pinto bean | Half cup | 11,864 |
5 | Blueberry (cultivated) | 1 cup | 9,019 |
6 | Cranberry | 1 cup (whole) | 8,983 |
7 | Artichoke (cooked) | 1 cup (hearts) | 7,904 |
8 | Blackberry | 1 cup | 7,701 |
9 | Dried Prune | Half cup | 7,291 |
10 | Raspberry | Half cup | 6,058 |
11 | Strawberry | 1 cup | 5,938 |
12 | Red Delicious apple | One | 5,900 |
13 | Granny Smith apple | One | 5,381 |
14 | Pecan | 1 ounce | 5,095 |
15 | Sweet cherry | 1 cup | 4,873 |
16 | Black plum | One | 4,844 |
17 | Russet potato (cooked) | One | 4,649 |
18 | Black bean (dried) | Half cup | 4,181 |
19 | Plum | One | 4,118 |
20 | Gala apple | One | 3,903 |
Adequate antioxidants from colorful fruits and vegetables are best, but get some insurance and make sure you get your antioxidants every day. Of course, Joint Juice® supplement with Vitamin C and Green Tea Extract is high in antioxidants.
More News
- The Shoulder, a Mechanical Miracle! January 2011
- Vitamin C and Your Health January 2011
- Antioxidants. Why are they so important? November 2010
- Tips on maintaining a healthy back and spine November 2010
- Three Tips on How to Keep Your Hips Healthy July 2010
- Vitamin D – how can it help you? July 2010
- Glucosamine and Chondroitin: Can they work for you? April 2010