Appreciating the impact of food antioxidants on our lives

The knowledge that our health is markedly influenced by what we eat has been with us since ancient times. Roman and Medieval writings contain references to recommended diets designed to preserve health or cure particular complaints.

The development of modern medicine led to a reduced emphasis on the links between health and diet in favor of prescriptive medicines. Over the last few decades the dramatic rise in the interest in alternative medicine has played a fundamental role in reemphasizing the centrality of diet to good health, and conventional medical practitioners have also began to place more stress on diet.

The impact of food antioxidants is one aspect of dietary health that has only recently began to receive serious attention. A process known as oxidation naturally occurs in our bodies and it hastens the decay of tissues and the onset of disease and ageing. The agents of this process are harmful molecules that are referred to as free radicals.

Antioxidants are the substances that take on the battle on your behalf and defend the body against the depredations of the free radicals and antioxidants foods can take an important role in building up these bodily defenses.

Foods known for their antioxidant qualities

The good news for everyone interested in boosting their food antioxidants intake is that they have a good variety of foods to choose from and these foods are readily available and not particularly expensive. Perhaps the best known of all these antioxidants foods is the humble garlic.

In ancient times garlic was recommended as a cure for a wide variety of complaints and after dismissing such claims as old superstitions modern scientific research has came round to supporting the health-boosting claims of regular garlic intake and in particular how it can help keep cholesterol levels low and blood pressure under control.

Older readers may remember the popular cartoon character called Popeye the Sailor Man. Popeye’s amazing strength came from his regular consumption of spinach. Although his spinach addiction made for an amusing children’s entertainment interestingly enough the lutein found in spinach makes it one of the most powerful antioxidant foods with known value in helping to avert vision loss.

Even the cup of tea that became a symbol of English civilization has made the top league of antioxidant foods with research showing how regular consumption can reduce the risk of serious heart and other diseases. While it was thought until quite recently that only green tie yielded these benefits but more recent studies have shown that the regular black tea can be just as beneficial.