The Top Ten Antioxidant Foods

Submitted by marksdarcy on Mon, 09/10/2007 - 14:52. Tags:

Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain lycopene. This is one of the rarer carotenoids and has twice the antioxidant affects of beta carotene (also a very potent antioxidant). Lycopene is also present in pink grapefruit. A number of studies have shown that adult males who include tomatoes or tomato based products such as tomato sauce in their diets, have a much reduced incidence of prostate cancer. Lycopen has also shown the possibility of reducing the likelihood of developing other cancers, including colon, lung and breast. Tomatoes are most beneficial when cooked. Ingesting tomatoes with some sort of oil is the best way to make the most out of this foodstuff. This is because lycopene is fat soluble and can therefore enter the system much more readily if accompanied by some form of oil or fat.

Berries

Blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are high in proanthocyanidins. These are antioxidants that have been linked with preventing both heart disease and various cancers. Strawberries, blackberries and raspberries all contain ellagic acid. This is a compound that helps to neutralise carcinogens.

Spinach

The macula is the section the eye that is most sensitive to light. The main pigment in this part of the eye is lutein, an antioxidant found in spinach. Macular damage and cataracts have been found in several studies to develop less in people who regular eat spinach.

Whole Grains

Grains are a good source of Vitamin E, a very powerful antioxidant. This vitamin has been found to help protect against various cancers, particularly cancer of the prostate. It also has been shown to strengthen the immune system and to slow down the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Whole grains are also high in phytic acid (IP-6). This is a strong antioxidant that has been shown to help protect against breast, liver and colonic cancers.

Garlic

Garlic has been found to lower cholesterol levels and to reduce blood pressure. There have been some studies that also link the intake of garlic in the diet with preventing the onset of cancer. Garlic has also been found to exhibit certain anti-fungal properties.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains a compound called indole-3-carbinol (I3C). This is a strong antioxidant with the ability to break down oestrogen. Reduced levels of oestrogen have been found to lower the likelihood of developing breast cancer, cervical cancer and cancer of the ovary. The other important antioxidant present in broccoli is beta carotene. This very potent antioxidant has been shown to help protect against heart disease and various cancers.

Tea (have a cupa :-)

Catechins are present in green tea and are oxidised in black tea to form theaflavins. Both of these compounds are antioxidants and are 'equally' beneficial in neutralising free radicals. Studies have shown that drinking either green or black tea significantly reduces the risk of cancer, strokes and heart disease.

Soy

Soy contains Genistein and Isoflavones. Soy has been found to reduce Low density lipoprotien (LDL cholesterol) whilst leaving unaffected the levels of High density lipoprotien (HDL cholesterol). This reduces the chances of developing heart disease. More specifically Genistein has been found in a number of studies to reduce susceptibility to cancers of the colon, breast and prostate.

Carrots

The very potent antioxidant beta carotene is present in carrots. This antioxidant has been found in a number of studies to offer some protection against a variety of types of cancers, particularly lung cancer. Other types of cancers which beta carotene may help to protect against include breast, bladder, stomach and esophageal. Heart disease has been shown to be much reduced in people who have a good source of beta carotene in their diet. Cooking the carrots is the best way to ensure that the optimal level of beta carotene is ingested. This is probably due to the process of heating making the beta carotene more available for digestion.

Red Grapes

Red grapes (and red wine for that matter) contain the substances quercetin and resveratrol.  Resveratrol helps protect against cancers, reduces the likelihood of having a stroke, developing inflammatory diseases and osteoporosis. Together with quercetin, resveratrol is also a potent antioxidant and these two substances are powerful free radical scavengers.

Articles

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    I think it might be worth defining on this site (just so there is no confusion) what exactly the science of Gerontology is.

    The subject known as Gerontology is the study of the process of aging throughout the lifespan of an individual. This multi-disciplinary subject analyses a variety of aspects of aging, including the physical, mental and social changes in individuals as they grow older. Professionals from a variety of diverse, but interconnected fields are known collectively as gerontologists.

    Gerontology covers such varied subjects as the effects of our aging population on society, including the financial effects of pensions, health insurance and retirement planning. How society itself views the elderly is also encompassed in this field.

    Gerontology distinguishes itself from geriatrics, the branch of medicine that studies the diseases of the old.

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    Rhonda Watson

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