Stop Cell Damage and Improve Skin Health

 

I need you to stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW and go find some dark chocolate, it could save your life!

            Okay, maybe that was a *little* dramatic. But without antioxidants to protect your body from oxidation, free radicals are free to destroy cells, aid in the aging process (in a very negative way) and can play a big part in cancer and diseases developing! And where do you find these lifesaving, skin aiding antioxidants? Dark chocolate! Okay and some other places, but let’s focus on the positive here.

            But let’s break it down a little further as to what we are actually talking about here- what are antioxidants, free radicals and oxidation and why is one vitally important and the other two we want to avoid?

            Antioxidants are literally just “substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals” and “is not really the name of a substance, but rather it describes what a range of substances can do” according to Medical News Today.

            Antioxidants can be found in Vitamins A, C, and E; dark chocolate; (please note here very specifically the dark in dark chocolate- the higher the cocoa count, the better the chocolate is for you overall and the higher the antioxidant count. Milk and white chocolate don’t make the cut here…) most of your berries- cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.; and your very vibrantly colored veggies- kale, beets, spinach; and let’s not forget your beans. Your body does not produce many antioxidants on its own and it reliant upon outside sources to help it along in fight these free radicals. 

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            Now, what is oxidation and why are free radicals so bad? Let’s look back to the Medical News Today article which states: “Free radicals are waste substances produced by cells as the body processes food and reacts to the environment. If the body cannot process and remove free radicals efficiently, oxidative stress can result. This can harm cells and body function. Free radicals are also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS).”

            However, free radicals are not always bad. When there is an even ratio of free radicals to antioxidants, these free radicals can help ward off pathogens and actually protect the body. But when they are too many free radicals, which are unbalanced electrons, they can go around the body and link to other molecules, in turn, causing long-chains in the body. This creates oxidative stress. (If you are confused by this, please do not feel alone as this is quite unwieldy to try and break down.)

            Free radicals attack the fatty tissue, make you age faster, and can cause damage to the DNA of your cells. So. Eat your antioxidants, cranberries today can save you from premature wrinkles. Oh, and a plethora of other diseases and cancers! 

 

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The Health Benefits Of Fruit

 

Bananas, Apples, Mangos, Starfruit, Strawberries, Cherries, Peaches, Plums and Pears- the list of options goes on and on, which is fantastic, because it’s fruit week! Despite most of us no longer being seafarers and having to worry about contracting scurvy due to our lack of Vitamin C, this does not negate the absolute importance of including plenty of fruits into your diet.

                Fruit has so many benefits for your body. They are high in vitamins and water, gives you a healthy energy spike from the sugar, and it’s fantastic for your skin thanks to all the antioxidants. Now people always say “fruit is good for you” but then we don’t and why not? I really feel it boils down to what you are choosing to eat that will either be an incentive for you to eat more or a deterrent to not be coming back to your fruit bowl. Before the price tag makes you high tail it in another direction, remember: the money you spend now investing in your health is money, time and sickness you won’t have to pay in the future and will do you wonders in terms of your health.

Take the time to try out a whole bunch of different fruits. You may not like apples but find you love pomegranates. Although you are getting different benefits from each different type, you will not be losing out by incorporating more into your diet. Turns out, I hate bananas, the texture and smell are too much for me to handle. But I LOVE peaches, I could eat a peach a day and still want more peaches. Diet Health Club did a study and as it turns out, peaches are good for lowering cholesterol, rejuvenating skin tissue, treating infectious disease and helping remove excess fat layers. Buying bananas is a waste of money for me, but peaches make my skin glow.             

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                Because each type of fruit has different nutrients, every time you eat a piece of fruit, you are doing your body a service. Mangoes and cranberries are rich in antioxidant which fight free radicals. Raspberries and apples provide your belly with lots of fiber to help aid your digestion. Oranges, papaya, and kiwi are all high in Vitamin C and indulging in grapefruits gives your body amazing detoxifying results. And let’s not forget low grade chronic inflammation we have discussed ad nauseam by now: Cherries, avocados and blueberries can all fight inflammation.

                The great thing about fruit too, is you can eat it raw, in a smoothie, or canned from last seasons harvest. The most important thing to look out for however, if you are not eating it raw, is that sugar content in anything you buy. The sugars found in fruit are easily and quickly processed by your body. But processed sugars such as high fructose corn syrup or sucrose you body DOES NOT assimilate the same way as they have been treated with preservatives and have been processed. Taking something healthy then adding sugar to it just leaves your body with a jumble to process through and skyrockets your blood sugar and insulin levels. Better to just avoid any added sugars.

                Due to this sugar content, fruit is a healthy way to get an energy boost as it raises your blood sugar level to give you the energy but won’t give you the same crash which say, coffee, will do. If you’re in need of a little pick me up. As we’re speaking, pear juice is running down my arm, as that is today’s choice for a little boost.

                Please keep in mind, as much as we would all love apple pie or peach cobbler; as far as counting them as adding more fruit to our diets, it sadly does not count…  

 

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