Guest Post: Be Wealthy with Healthy Cells

Hello friends, today I have another great guest post for you. This time Krisca is here to talk about antioxidants, why they are important and 12 foods you can get them from. There are some surprising items on the list (who knew prunes had so many antioxidants?) Read on to check out the rest of the list of superfoods!

Be Wealthy with Healthy Cells: 12 Grocery Finds you get Antioxidants from

We’ve been hearing a lot about antioxidants in the past few years. They are good for us, health-food enthusiasts said. They are crucial to the normal function of the cell, researches told us. They can help prevent many diseases that are long lasting and debilitating.

What are antioxidants and why do we need them?
The dictionary says “A substance such as vitamin C or E that removes potentially damaging oxidizing agents in living organism.”
Why do potatoes turn brown after peeling unless they are soaked in water? Why does an apple slice turn brown or fish become rancid? It’s all because of oxidation. The same, to a different degree, happens to our cells. Some of them deteriorate, some of them die, some of them will regenerate. This process happens in our bodies all the time, 24 hours a day.
While most of our cells absorb and use the oxygen, about 1%-2% of cells do get damaged by oxidation and turn into free radicals.

Free radicals are damaged cells. They are called “free” because they are missing an important component that tells them who and what to cling to. As a result they cling to anything in their path, looking for the missing part but instead damage the new cell as well. When a cell becomes mutated it can grew and reproduce anomalies.

Thus, the free radicals are associated with heart diseases, cancers, Parkinson’s disease, and mental cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The only thing that fights those free radicals are the antioxidants. And in the 21st century, with all the environmental pollution, we need it more than ever.

Where do we get those antioxidants?
From our food mostly and it doesn’t have to cost you much. Despite what all the advertisers want you to believe, you don’t need to spend money on exotic fruit and potions. The antioxidants are at your fingertips. They are vitamins C and E, glutathione, enzymes such as catalase, superoxide and more.

So be wealth with healthy cells. Here are 12 grocery items you can get Antioxidants from:

There are two scales to measure the content of antioxidants. One is called ORAC – Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, was done by Kansas University researchers. The other, done by the FDA scientists. The two list not always agree about the placing of certain foods, but the same foods appear been on both lists.

Prunes – According to Kansas State University research, prunes have by far the highest level of antioxidants at 57,701 ORAC. The FDA list puts in 9th place.

Raisins – With 2,830 ORAC, the raisins are the next on the list. It is not a typo. The levels drop that much.

Blueberries - At 2,400 ORAC, blueberries are ranked by the FDA as the fruit highest in antioxidants.

Red Bean – According to the FDA, half a cup of dry small red beans has one of the highest antioxidants levels.

Garlic - Aside from being an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial agent, the garlic contains 1,940 ORAC, according to the University of Kansas research.

Kale - At 1,770 ORAC, the kale is high in beta-carotene, selenium, Vitamins A, C and E.

Strawberries and raspberries - 1,540 ORAC and 1,220 respectively. All the berry family has a significant amount of antioxidants.

Green or black tea - Their amount of antioxidants are off the ORAC chart. One of the simplest and easiest habits to adopt.

Red wine - An antioxidant called Resveratrol helps prevent damage to blood vessels, lowers cholesterol and lower risk of inflammation.

Grape juice – From all the juices, the grape juice is the richest in antioxidants.

Simple, everyday items that can make you wealthy with healthy cells.

Krisca Te works with Open Colleges, Australia's leading provider of TAFE courses equivalent and nutrition courses. When not working, she enjoys spending her day with her 4-month old son.