Everyone has heard about antioxidants, but what are they? Most people have heard about free radicals, but what are they?
The truth is, the two terms I just mentioned have been diametrically opposed since the beginning of time. It's a battle of good vs. evil, light vs. darkness, the empire vs. the republic. I've known about these two separate things for years, but I just had this epic clash-of-the-titans concept introduced to me. They are remarkably interrelated and it has opened my eyes to another reason why choosing organic foods is so important.
As Dr. Colbert states in Eat This and Live!, "Antioxidants are to free radicals what water is to a fire."
Free radicals are introduced into the body every second of every day. Eating, working, and even breathing bring in and create free radicals. In a nutshell, free radicals are molecular-level disruptions, mutations, or deficiencies in cells. Antioxidants are the force that is needed to combat the bad guys and neutralize the negative effects of free radicals. Guess which foods introduce the most free radicals: hormone-packed red meats, pesticide-laced produce, and "dead" foods. Guess which foods augment antioxidant power: fresh, organic veggies, raw nuts, and organic chocolate.
Here's where choosing organic proves itself once again as the best option for optimum nutrition and health.
When choosing antioxidant-rich foods, insisting on the organic version is crucial. I've heard too many people talk about having a glass of wine or OJ "for the antioxidants." The trouble with that is the fruits used to make these beverages are covered in pesticides, so anyone who has passed grade school math can understand the problem. It's not that the antioxidants aren't there, but the positive impact of the antioxidants is negated by the free radicals taken in due to pesticides and chemicals on the foods used to make the product.
That's just a nugget of new info I learned today, and I thought I'd share. Again I say when possible, choose organic. When trying to boost antioxidant intake, the best result will only be attained when beginning the battle with the best army of antioxidants possible: one that is not already crippled before it even starts to fight.
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