Food for thought…
Cherry tomatoes dehydrated for winter joy!
Food for thought…
Have you heard of the power of antioxidants and wondered what they were and how they work?
It all starts with the formation of free radicals. Free radicals are molecules with an unpaired electron. They can exist independently in the body. They are highly reactive and unstable, and can cause unwanted chain reactions by pulling an electron away from a neighboring molecules. They can damage DNA, proteins, carbohydrates and fats. Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are a type of free radical formed from oxygen molecules. Free radicals are created by normal metabolic functions but their numbers can be increased by things like medications, cigarettes, natural radiation, air pollutants and chemicals. This leads to what is called oxidative damage or oxidative stress in the body. Chronic stress can also lead to oxidative damage! Not all ROS in the body have a negative effect, we actually need them to perform important immune functions, like attacking viruses and bacteria or breaking down dead cells in the body.
Foods rich in vitamins, minerals and flavonoids can help to protect our body from free radical damage in the form of antioxidants or free radical scavengers!
Vitamin E, found in olive oil, fish, Swiss chard, asparagus, spinach, cranberry juice, tomato sauce, hazelnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds, pecans, and avocados, is the most widely distributed antioxidant in nature.
Vitamin C, found in kiwifruit, grapefruit, oranges, strawberries, sweet red peppers, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, potatoes, tomatoes, and bananas, supports collagen synthesis, promotes healing, lowers risk of hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke, and also helps to defend against free radicals.
Beta carotene, a form of carotenoids are found in pumpkins, carrots, winter squash, collards, tomatoes, papaya, sweet red peppers, watermelon, paprika, and other orange veggies like sweet potatoes, is a precursor of vitamin A, and can help reduce the risk of oxidative stress
Selenium, a trace mineral found in brazil nuts, oysters, egg noodles, beef, sunflower seeds, brown rice, organ meats and seafood, helps regenerate other antioxidants, including vitamin C.
Flavonoids, a metabolite found in plants, have medicinal-like properties. They have been shown to improve cardiovascular function, help manage blood glucose levels, reduce the risk of cancer and lower the risk of recurrent bladder infections.
Some flavonoids include…
Quercetin, found in onions, scallions, broccoli, kale, apples with the skin, berries, dried pineapple, and tea, has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, improve bladder health and lower the risk of bladder cancer.
Curcumin, found in turmeric, has been shown to improve bladder health and reduce the risk of frequent bladder infections.
Hesperidin, found in citrus, peppermint, and mushrooms, has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects.
Propolis, made by bees from the collected nectar and sap from trees. Bees use propolis to heal themselves from infection and to protect their hives from attack by viruses and bacteria. It has compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. Combined with cranberry extracts, propolis can help improve the anti-adhesion activity of the bacteria E. coli that are responsible for urinary tract infections. If you are interested in trying propolis, please buy it from a company that harvests it sustainably and thoughtfully, like Bee Keeper’s Natural.
Melatonin is also an antioxidant produced in the body that provides anti-inflammatory properties than can help improve bladder health– one more reason to get restorative sleep!