Thursday, June 17, 2010

Understanding Antioxidants, the not-so-scientific explanation

I hate reading about stuff that makes me totally baffled... "Acai berries have the higest antioxidant level of any food as measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity, the scale used to measure blah blah blah."  What does all that mean?

Here's a visual:  if you've ever lived in an extremely wet or snowy locale, you've seen what oxidization can do to a car.   It corrodes and rusts through metal.  It eats away at the edges and breaks down solid compounds til you are left with an ugly, damaged, weak substitute of an originally terrific Lexus or Mercedes.

Oxidation in the body is caused by creepy little free radicals, toxic oxygen molecules produced in the body,  but also by external sources like stress and pollution.

What our bodies need to combat these unhealthy free radicals are antioxidants.

And where do we get these?  Well, one great source that is now in season is berries!  Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, and cherries.  It's time to make yourself a smoothie.  Take advantage of these summer fruits to keep you healthy, feeling great and almost bionic.

1 comment:

  1. ecxept I have heard/read that you need to eat them on their own for them to be beneficial and not eat anything for 20 min after. No mixing with other food groups......so not smoothies.

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