Tuesday 30th November

I often talk about the anti-oxidant and phytonutrient properties of certain foods and people always nod in agreement! However, do they really know why they are nodding! I find that people know they are important but are not sure why!!

So here is a little crash course:

The term anti-oxidants generally relates to specific nutrients, such as Vitamin A, C and E helps to recycle free radicals in the body and disarm them.
Phytonutrients, which are a type of powerful anti-oxidants, come only from plants but act in a similar way, thus the terms are interchangeable.
The role of phytonutrients in plants is that they have the responsibility of protecting them - against all of the forces, radiation, toxicity etc. The very clever thing is that they do the same in humans.
They protect our DNA, cell membranes and the proteins that make up our body.
Free radicals are reactive molecules that are trying to start a fight inside our bodies. The anti-oxidants or phytonutrients come along and dis arm them and calm them down.
However, the anti-oxidants themselves then turn into free radicals and need to be calmed down... and so the system begins all over again.

A strategy for good health:
Eating a constant supply of nutrient rich and plant based foods can help you to increase your anti-oxidants in a natural way.
Phytonutrients give plants their colour, flavour and smell so the best advice is to go for the brightest variety of food every day!