5 Health Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are frequently praised in the health space for the many benefits they provide, but not many people know what they actually are, much less what they do. Lucky for you, we’re going to be unpacking everything you need to know about antioxidants in this blog!

Read on to learn more about all the ways antioxidants can benefit you.

What Are Antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that protect your body by fighting free radicals.

Free radicals are molecules that are important for many bodily processes, like cell division. However, they can cause harm if they build up in your body.

There are many different types of antioxidants. Some are produced in the body while others are found in foods and/or supplements.

What Foods Have Antioxidants?

Plant-based, colorful foods, like fruits and vegetables, are the best sources of antioxidants. Catechins, flavonoids, flavones, polyphenols, and phytoestrogens are all types of antioxidants that can be found in plant-based foods.

Foods that are high in antioxidants include:

  • Berries (blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, and goji berries)
  • Artichokes
  • Kale
  • Spinach
  • Beets
  • Red Cabbage

You can also get antioxidants by taking supplements like:

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin E
  • Beta-carotene
  • Selenium
  • Magnesium
Health Benefits of Antioxidants

Now that you know what antioxidants are and where they come from, it is time to get into the many health benefits they provide! Here are five health benefits of antioxidants.

1. Fight Free Radicals

As mentioned earlier, antioxidants help fight free radicals in the body, which are also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS).

Free radicals are waste substances that your cells produce as your body reacts to the environment and processes food. Too many free radicals can ultimately contribute to the development of various diseases.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals and help boost your overall health.

2. Reduce Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress is the phenomenon that takes place when there is an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants in your body. This imbalance can harm cells and lead to conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, and dementia.

Because antioxidants neutralize free radicals, they also, in turn, help reduce oxidative stress.

3. Boost Brain Health

Oxidative stress is associated with a loss of neurons, which can ultimately lead to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia. Research suggests that antioxidants may help protect against neurodegeneration.

One study published in the journal Neurology looked at the relationship between antioxidant levels and rates of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. The conclusion of the study was that antioxidants might protect the brain from damage that is associated with dementia.

4. Improve Mental Well-Being

Not only can oxidative stress affect your brain health – it can also impact your mental health. Depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder are all mental conditions that are associated with oxidative stress.

Studies have shown that enhancing your diet with antioxidant-rich foods may help ease symptoms of anxiety and depression.

5. Help With Healthy Aging

Last but certainly not least, antioxidants can promote healthy aging. As mentioned earlier, antioxidants help prevent diseases like dementia, diabetes, and heart disease, which are spurred on by oxidative stress.

In addition to disease prevention, antioxidants also protect your cells from free radical damage that leads to aging, making them good for your overall health as you age.

By incorporating lots of colorful fruits and vegetables into your diet and regularly taking the right supplements, you can make sure you are getting enough antioxidants and, in turn, improving your long-term health.

At Revivele, we strongly believe that you should be everything you can do to ensure you are as healthy as possible as you age. We are currently developing a supplement product that contains many antioxidant-rich ingredients and has been specifically designed to optimize women’s health. To find out when our product is released and learn more about health-related matters, follow Revivele on Instagram, Facebook, and/or LinkedIn today!