In the recent years, numerous articles have been published about antioxidants and their importance for the body. Experts have found that one of the primary causes of aging is the presence of a large number of free radicals in the body. (See Reference 1)

Antioxidants are substances that neutralize these free radicals in the body and prevent various health risks related to aging, stress, heart diseases, disorders related to the central nervous system and brain. Antioxidants are present in various fresh fruits and vegetables and derivatives of plant foods. It is advisable to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your diet as each of them contain different types of antioxidants and each of them follow their own mechanism of removing the free radicals from our body. (See Reference 1)

Free radicals are unstable atoms or group of atoms where there is a missing electron. These radicals seek the missing electron from healthy molecules present in the body in order to neutralize them. When they steal the missing electron from the neighboring molecules, the healthy molecules end up becoming unstable. This results in a domino effect wherein the number of free radicals grows over a period of time and severely damages the cellular system of our body. (See Reference 1)

Vitamins C, E and A are classic examples of antioxidants. It is found that bright colored fruits and vegetables are rich in these substances. Some of the vegetables that are rich in antioxidants include kale, spinach, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and beetroot. In addition, vegetables that are yellow or red in color like red bell peppers, tomato and carrots are also rich in antioxidants. Fruits that are high in antioxidants include oranges, apricots, pink grapefruit, peaches, plums and berries. (See Reference 1)

You can purchase food products that are labeled as “super foods” from a grocery store. These food items are generally rich sources of antioxidants. Similarly, plant foods and dietary supplements rich in antioxidants are available in drug stores. For example, you can purchase abscorbic acid (Vitamin C supplements) from a drug store. You can also consume green tea extract that is a rich source of antioxidants. (See Reference 1)

Research also reveals that some of the anti-oxidant rich substances may cause adverse reactions if consumed in excess due to the presence of some other compounds. For example, blueberries are a rich source of antioxidants, but it contains a compound called oxalic acid that interferes with digestion and nutrition absorption. It also causes irritation to the intestinal lining. (See Reference 1)

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