Antioxidants: the all-rounders for your health

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are real superheroes when it comes to your health. They are substances that are able to neutralise free radicals in the body. Free radicals are a by-product of metabolism and can damage cells if they are present in excess. This is where antioxidants come into play: they capture the free radicals and render them harmless. This protects your cells from oxidative stress and thus prevents various diseases.

Antioxidant foods

The good news is that you can easily get antioxidants from your diet. Particularly rich sources are:

  • Berries, cherries, grapes
  • Kale, spinach, peppers
  • Walnuts, pecans
  • Sunflower seeds, flax seeds
  • Wholemeal products
  • Green tea, coffee
  • Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content

It is best to eat a varied, plant-based diet to maximise your intake of antioxidants.

Antioxidant effects

Antioxidants are considered to be real all-rounders for your health. They can:

  • Strengthen the immune system
  • Reduce inflammation in the body
  • Protect against cardiovascular disease
  • Reduce the risk of cancer
  • Prevent the skin from ageing prematurely
  • Improve eyesight

Particularly well-known antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium. But secondary plant substances such as polyphenols and flavonoids are also included. They all contribute in their own way to keeping the body healthy.

Can you consume too many antioxidants?

As a rule, you don't need to worry about consuming too many antioxidants in your diet. The body simply excretes excess amounts. The situation is different with food supplements: Here, too high an intake of individual antioxidants can even be harmful.

Experts therefore recommend primarily covering your needs through a balanced diet. Only in special cases, for example in the case of a proven deficiency, can the additional intake of supplements make sense. It is best to talk to your doctor about whether this is necessary for you.

Conclusion

Antioxidants are real health helpers that you can easily add to your daily diet. With plenty of colourful fruit and vegetables, nuts, wholegrain products and green tea, you can fill up on these valuable substances on the side. They help your body stay healthy and prevent illness. So get your antioxidants on - your cells will thank you for it!

Frequently asked questions
Where are the most antioxidants found?

Most antioxidants are found in colourful fruit and vegetables, especially berries, grapes, apples, cherries, spinach, kale and broccoli. Nuts, seeds, wholegrains, dark chocolate and green tea also contain lots of antioxidants.
What are antioxidants good for?

Antioxidants protect your cells from harmful free radicals and thus prevent oxidative stress. They support your immune system, slow down ageing processes and can reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's and certain types of cancer.
Which drink has the most antioxidants?

Green tea is the drink with the highest antioxidant content; it contains many health-promoting catechins such as EGCG. Grape juice, pomegranate juice, blueberry juice and red wine are also rich in antioxidants such as resveratrol, anthocyanins and proanthocyanidins.

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