Antioxidants: Natural, Artificial, Benefits And Characteristics

Antioxidants are molecules that enter our body through what we eat, they are present in proteins of animal and vegetable origin, they have the responsibility of regenerating all cells, thus preventing the advance of diseases that could cause death, such as diseases of the heart , kidneys, prevents the formation of tumors and also works in the prevention of neurological diseases. That is why in the cases of people who suffer from Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s disease, they are instructed to eat a diet high in protein and vegetables to obtain high amounts of antioxidants and preserve health.

If you are curious, look at our articles on proteins, their uses, benefits, contraindications and much more.

Are they known by other names?

Studies carried out show that the antioxidants most used directly are vitamin C and E, although most are not aware that these are potential antioxidants, they are usually more effective when they enter the body from food, citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C , that is why it is recommended to consume it in breakfasts, in juices or in the company of other chopped fruits, for its part, vitamin E, is responsible for providing vitality to the skin, hair and nails, currently it is very reach of the majority due to the large pharmaceutical market that exists. Carotenoids are also antioxidants, they are very important since they are responsible for providing protection to the skin at times when we are most exposed to the sun.

More information about The importance of Vitamin C for the Skin

Where are you from?

The main research on this topic began at the beginning of the 14th century, at the time when the metal industries were beginning , in this trial and error process they show that the chemical antioxidants of that time prevented the metal from losing properties and quality, in Regarding the action of these in the human body, the investigations began due to the imperative need to verify the effect of antioxidants in the natural elimination of unsaturated fats from the body, which by then was also beginning to determine their responsibility in the aging of the cardiovascular system.

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Characteristics of antioxidants

Antioxidants are mainly characterized by allowing the oxidation of the food we consume and thus achieve that the body adopts these benefits, in large commercial industries it has identified this molecule as the most beneficial option they have to be able to reduce oxygen in the products that They are vacuum packed, in humans antioxidants promote those cellular regenerations that allow well-being thanks to a healthy physical appearance, we understand then that antioxidants are essential in most areas.

If this article has interested you, do not stop reading How to strengthen the Immune System: Tips and Food

Role of antioxidants in the body

Their main functions are to slow down this cellular aging process and prevent various diseases , in addition they can prevent the formation of free radicals in our body, since they cause a very wide variety of alterations that can be located in cell membranes.

Free radicals are classified into two types; the internal ones that are the product of the realization of exercises of high physical impact or for the different metabolic processes, or the external ones that develop due to the bad diet, to carry out strict diets without medical guidance, the excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages, drugs and The presence of nicotine also helps in the formation of highly toxic free radicals for humans, it is there where antioxidants come into play as they provide the tools for each body to naturally eliminate those harmful free radicals.

Types of antioxidants

There are two types of antioxidants: the water-soluble ones that are capable of dissolving in pure water , and the hydrophilic ones that dissolve in the lipids existing in our body.

Water-soluble antioxidants greatly favor blood plasma and cell membranes, whereas hydropholics occur when the oxidation of lipids present could damage the cell membrane, thus avoiding a large number of diseases that would affect the development of daily activities.

Importance of antioxidants for health

Preventing the alteration of the cell membrane by the presence of free radicals is of great importance for the human being, in the same way the investigations carried out verify that the antioxidants in their process are divided into two parts, the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant processes , Enzymes have to do with the production of a group of enzymes such as, superoxide dismutase, catalaza enzyme and peroxidase enzyme, the union of all of them is a lethal chemical process but this is the presence of antioxidants to regulate their functioning in the human body .

On the other hand, non-enzymatic processes are related to the production of ceruloplasmin, which is the amount of plasma that our blood has, ferritin that has the responsibility of regulating the levels of iron present in the blood, as well as producing Vitamin C, E and Folic Acid.

Everything must work in balance to preserve the functioning of our body, which is why it is important to consume foods that are rich in antioxidants.

You will be interested in reading Understanding Ferritin How are your blood iron stores?

Benefits and Properties of Antioxidants

They have very remarkable properties in terms of improving our immune system , in addition, the relationship they have with cell rejuvenation is scientifically proven, thus avoiding premature aging, it is for this reason that within their properties they highlight:

• They improve the immune system as they contain a large amount of Vitamin C, which is aimed at providing the body with the necessary defenses to fight colds or seasonal flu.
• They protect from heart disease , it is for this reason that you should add omega 3 rich foods to your daily diet , since this is a powerful antioxidant that helps in the natural elimination of all those fatty substances that are harmful to health and that are the cause. number of deaths from strokes.
• They protect against cancer, antioxidants such as beta-carotene, selenium and lutein have proven effects in terms of eliminating cancer cells, these are present mainly in green leafy vegetables , fruits and nuts .
• They fight against aging , they have the possibility of helping in the rejuvenation of the skin that can be due to different causes, aging by age or due to a degenerative disease, they also help to revitalize brain function and sight.

Among the benefits it can be mentioned that if, for example, you have the possibility of obtaining a body cream rich in antioxidants, after applying it you will achieve that it fights the free radicals present in the dermis and epidermis by increasing the production of collagen , in the same way If the antioxidant cream for topical use is applied to a face with acne, the presence of vitamin A could achieve improvements in the affected area, it can also prevent blemishes and expression lines.

If this article has interested you, do not stop reading The great guide on autoimmune diseases

They are used to lose weight

They are effective in weight loss since a diet rich in proteins and vegetables that are a great source of antioxidants , in addition to reducing sugar consumption is essential for those who want to lose weight in a natural and balanced way, it is not that not If you eat other foods, what you should take into account is the portions you eat and the physical activity that allows you to burn fat.

Among the vegetables rich in antioxidants are asparagus, beets , carrots , radishes, turnips and most tubers, if you prefer fruits you can consume apricots, apple , watermelon, oranges, pineapple, tangerines, grapefruit and melon in adequate portions .

Find out how Everything you need to know about fruits to lose weight

They prevent skin aging

Since the beginning of the investigations, the importance of antioxidants in skin rejuvenation was presumed , they provide beta-carotene that once synthesized becomes vitamin A who is responsible for allowing the mucous membranes and skin to look healthy, without drying In the same way, they provide vitamin C that, apart from providing anti-flu defenses, are producers of collagen, which the skin uses to stay fresh and hydrated.

Selenium is also provided by antioxidants, it is of vital importance for all human beings since it is responsible for protecting the skin from the sun’s rays.

Do not miss the article with Routine Care against Premature Aging of the skin and Definitive Treatments

Learn with us about Ranking of the 50 foods with the most Vitamin C

They benefit people with diabetes

It should be noted that the vast majority of products that we include in our daily diet contain glucose, that is, they are rich in sugars that are not entirely beneficial for the human body. Diabetes is the result of an unbalanced diet and in some cases it is due to genetics. It is advisable to establish the parameters of a diet based on the inclusion of all the foods that you have around you, without abusing any, that is, eat in moderation, specialists recommend that people diagnosed with any type of diabetes should consume a diet rich in proteins and vegetables, these in turn are great sources of antioxidants.

If you have diabetes or do not know it better than check this article Diabetes: Complications, Causes, Types and how to prevent it .

They are used against cancer

Currently there are recent research reports on the use of antioxidants in supplements used in people with cancer and in those who are at risk of suffering from some genetic condition, the results have shown that cancer patients can obtain an improvement in cell membranes thanks to the consumption of antioxidant foods or through pharmacological products.

For those people who are more at risk of suffering from this terrible disease, it is always recommended that they adopt a healthy diet that allows them to provide the body with all the necessary defenses to overcome any disease, in this case, consume green leafy foods and animal proteins on a daily basis. it can guarantee the difference between life and death.

Learn How to Prevent Breast Cancer

They help male fertility

Not only women can be affected at the time of wanting to conceive a child by infertility, men are also responsible for this situation, when a couple attends a consultation with a specialist in the area, both must undergo a series of examinations To find the final diagnosis, if for example the man has weak sperm, you can change that situation by ingesting antioxidants from food, as well as oral antioxidants that will be those indicated by the doctor, it is important that you take into account that your body it needs to be in complete harmony in order to function properly.

If this article has interested you, do not stop reading Chemical Pregnancy: Problems, Signs, Duration, Symptoms and Causes

They promote detoxification of the body

On many occasions people turn directly to a drug to detoxify their body, this sometimes brings unpleasant side effects, to get your body in optimal condition you just have to eat a balanced diet, resorting to a diet high in protein and vegetables is the option that you should consider, beef, chicken or pork, eggs and milk are very well equipped with the antioxidants that your body requires to naturally promote cell renewal, what you are going to obtain with this is that all your body works in perfect harmony, you will have normal hormonal levels, good weight and an excellent physical condition.

Fight kidney failure and heart failure

Once the person is diagnosed with any of these diseases that can be produced by the presence of free radicals, these have been related to a wide variety of degenerative processes, such as cancer or the aforementioned, the presence of a greater number of free radicals in the coronary arteries for example, they cause micro-injuries in the vascular endothelium and an excessive increase in platelets, the most important thing is to follow the treatment indicated by a specialist doctor, to complement this it is also important to change eating habits, it is not healthy for anyone to carry a diet of excesses.

Antioxidants have a large number of health benefits among these, the ability to make a cell recover after some condition, so it is advisable to consume foods rich in antioxidants, but you should pay attention because dairy, for example, contains many antioxidants but they are not highly recommended in people with a history of kidney or cardiovascular disease.

However, if you can consume them but in moderate amounts and as long as they are fresh products , since today most dairy products are long-lasting, that is, they have a large amount of preservatives that are not beneficial to health.

To complete the information you should read this article: Calcium, animal or vegetable?. Why is animal milk Contraindicated

Are antioxidants good or bad?

Antioxidants fight free radicals, that is why you must take into account many industrialized foods, which are known by large advertising companies as low in cholesterol, for example, they contain many preservatives that promote the formation of free radicals in our body

Free radicals can cause injuries in the depths of our arteries and begin to produce other complications, industrialized fats, the abusive use of alcohol and cigarettes are some of the causes of free radical formation, this can be neutralized to a certain extent point, adding foods rich in antioxidants to our daily diet, you have to know that these are best used in foods that can be consumed raw, such as fruits, vegetables and virgin oils of excellent quality.

In short, antioxidants are not counterproductive in any way, quite the opposite, since they help our body to regenerate and recover from external and internal ills.

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Natural antioxidants

They are all those that we obtain from the food we consume, it is important to note that to achieve a higher concentration of antioxidants you must choose organic foods , that is, those that come from farms where they have as a principle not to use any chemicals to produce food, so both are products of excellent quality and are in harmony with the environment.

Foods, fruits and vegetables that contain them

Avoiding free radicals in a natural way is essential, that is why the consumption of fruits, vegetables and vegetables is recommended, identifying what foods we should consume and obtain all their benefits is what we must do, below I will mention the most important ones:

• Limonene: It is responsible for providing that radiant color in citrus fruits such as orange, lemon, grapefruit or tangerines, these are rich in vitamin C, their peels in an infusion provide the body with a large amount of antioxidants.
• Catechins: It is the main compound of green tea, it is an antioxidant that has the responsibility of ensuring the proper functioning of our liver.
• Sulforano: Its function is to expel carcinogens from our body, you can find it in vegetables such as broccoli , Brussels sprouts, spinach and chard.
• Resveratrol: It is very important because it is related to the genetic load, it is mainly found in the skin of grapes.
• Quercetin: It is provided by onion, garlic, chives, leek garlic, it is a natural pigment that has the main function of regulating liver functions.

Now that you know what foods provide you with antioxidants naturally, it is essential that you establish your gastronomic preferences, try to eat healthy and your body will thank you.

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They can be found in grains and cereals

A balanced diet includes all foods from the food groups, grains and cereals are also a great source of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Amaranth, in addition to having iron, also contains magnesium and potassium, it is also rich in antioxidants, you can mix it in sauces or salads, barley and brown rice also contain antioxidants, rice is almost a complement to all meals, you can consume it alone or in the company of some fresh vegetables to obtain more nutrients, corn is rich in carotenoid antioxidants, you can use it in many ways, it will depend on where you are and the creativity at the time of preparing the food.

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Some herbs and mushrooms contain them

Gastronomy has evolved a lot in recent times, currently each of the ingredients to be used in the preparation of a dish is highly valued, we seek to make the most of each ingredient, mushrooms of organic origin are very rich in antioxidants, you must pay close attention when using them so that they do not lose their properties in very long cooking.

Among the commonly used herbs is the oregano , this has an antioxidant called rosmarinic acid, which have the power to regulate the lipids, can add almost any preparation, especially meats and sauces. Coriander, is rich in beta-carotene and has been proven to be an excellent anticancer, is consumed raw or lightly boiled so that it does not lose its properties, in the same way green tea It is rich in polyphenols that are antioxidants that help eliminate cancer-bearing cells and prevent them from multiplying, it has been shown that patients who have been treated for leukemia or breast cancer had decreased the production of these cells by consuming infusions of this tea.

If this article has interested you, do not stop reading Green tea: Contraindications, Benefits, Types and Matcha

Artificial antioxidants

There are antioxidants of artificial origin that can be consumed as long as a doctor indicates them, for example in the options market there are countless brands of Vitamins A, group B and C, these are rich in antioxidants, these are used because they have an action in the body is very effective, although there are people who prefer those that come from food.

Intravenous injectables

They are used mainly to combat conditions caused by the lack of vitamin A , it also has a wide use in facial mesotherapy, applying hyaluronic acid in subcutaneous injections is able to counteract the effects of facial stress, that is, they can achieve that these antioxidants return to the face skin in better condition, wrinkles and fine lines are even reduced.

Infusions and soaps

We can consume antioxidants of natural origin in infusions, using coriander and chamomile leaves , having a warm cup before going to sleep will allow the body to relax and apart from that, coriander has beta-carotenes that help cell repair, as well as being a powerful anticancer.

If you have the option of obtaining an antioxidant cream from any commercial brand, you can apply it to the affected area, for example the face area, the next morning wash with a soap that contains a balanced PH, this will help you maintain a face free of impurities and looking better.

For more information, see our article on: Chamomile / Chamomile: Benefits for Skin and Health

Commercial uses

Currently there is a wide variety of uses or commercial purposes that have been given to antioxidants, for example many women go to aesthetic clinics to apply facial treatments with antioxidants and trace elements, they seek to preserve the youth and freshness of their faces.

Also, women between 45-50 years of age who are entering the menopause process often go to pharmacies looking for the drug that contains the greatest amount of antioxidants and that provides them with the vitamins they need at that stage of their life. lives, large commercial food chains use antioxidants to eliminate the oxygen contained in their vacuum packed products, this means that the demand for the use of antioxidants every day will increase.

For example, here you can choose between some of the capsules that can be taken to add antioxidants to your body:

• 12mg Astaxanthin, 90 Capsules of Bioastin Astaxanthin. 100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE, MADE IN THE UK – The World’s Strongest Natural Antioxidant – Benefits – Natural Anti-inflammatory, Increases Recovery After Exercise, Improves Skin Moisture Levels. 100% Vegetarian, Dairy and Gluten Free
• Quamtrax Nutrition Antioxidant Pomegranate – 120 Capsules
• COENZYME Q10 – !! BEST QUALITY / PRICE !! – Powerful antioxidant to delay the effects of aging !! Capsules of vegetable origin – Strengthens the Immune System – Recommended for vegetarians – Very powerful fat-soluble antioxidant – MADE IN FRANCE
• OMEGA 3 KRILL – MORE CONCENTRATED – Box of 60 capsules – Supports the immune system – RICH IN ANTIOXIDANTS – Helps to regulate cholesterol levels – HELPS TO MAINTAIN SUGAR LEVELS IN THE BLOOD – Participates in the proper functioning of the cardiovascular systems, cerebral, hormonal and inflammatory
• OPC Intensive 600mg per capsule of OPC Grape Seed Extract – 60 vegan capsules and grape seed extract concentrates + 12 mg of vitamin C – natural antioxidant, 2 month supply – Premium quality German made
• Spirulina 120 pills Organic antioxidant superfood immune system
• Goji Berries 2000mg | Rich Antioxidants and Boost Energy Levels | 2 x 180 Tablets |

Therapeutic use in the elderly

People of adulthood should begin to have a very well controlled life, eating a diet rich in foods that have antioxidants will allow them to avoid suffering from arterial and heart problems, if they already have them they will be able to provide their body with the tools that allow it to improve These conditions, it has also been proven that antioxidants produce collagen that helps people in adulthood to move more easily, they do not suffer from muscle stiffness.

Used in cosmetics

In the cosmetic area, the use of antioxidants is more common every day, current advertising campaigns present cosmetics as the most natural option to nourish the face, for example, lipsticks are made with vitamin E , which favors the production of collagen.

Resveratrol is used to make products to protect the skin from the effects of the sun.

Retinol originates from vitamin A, a broad spectrum antioxidant in the fight against skin blemishes, whether caused by age, pregnancy or the sun, in the current commercial market there is an almost incalculable variety of these products.

Vitamin C is used in the manufacture of cosmetic products aimed at eliminating or stopping the formation of wrinkles on the skin, specifically on the face.

For more information you should read the following article: Acids for the beauty of your skin and hair !!!

Used in bakery

In the preparation of foods such as bread, antioxidants are used in order to stabilize the fats that it contains as an ingredient , since this is the first to oxidize and damage the entire process.

Currently in the bakery area the use of two types of synthetic antioxidants is allowed, these are BHA Butyl-Hydroxy-anisole (E-320) and BHT Butyl-Hydroxy-Toluol (E-321), these are very effective in the treatment of fats of animal origin, allow the preparations to last stored for some time without altering their taste or texture, there are also natural antioxidants used in bakery, these are Alpha Tocopherol E-307 and Tocopherol E-308 Range.

Used in meat products

They are used in large commercial chains of packaged meats to eliminate the oxygen that could remain after processing the meats for hams or sausages, if there were any oxygen left inside these products would oxidize and would not be suitable for human consumption , they are also applied antioxidants to the meats that are exhibited in the commercial chains this so that nothing alters its original flavor.

Used in medicines

There is a wide variety of antioxidants that are used in the preparation of drugs aimed at meeting different requirements, for example when women are of an age where they are approaching that stage where their period disappears, they need to take a supplement that contains antioxidants that help preserve the vitality of the hair, nails and skin, then we can infer that there are a large number of medications that are composed of antioxidants that a person may need depending on the evolutionary stage in which they are.