The benefits of antioxidants

Antioxidants – helpers against free radicals

You hear a lot about the little wellbeing helpers in our diet – antioxidants.

How we live determines how we age. And so that we can be full of energy, Mother Nature has fortunately given us a not-so-secret secret weapon: antioxidants. We are talking about vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that have antioxidant features.

Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E, as well as beta-carotene, are called “antioxidant”. Beta-carotene is a precursor of vitamin A.

Depending on their origin, antioxidants can be divided into:

formed in the body (e.g. enzymes, hormones, metabolic products)
Externally supplied with food (e.g. vegetables, fruit, nuts)

Antioxidants from food are for example vitamin C and E, selenium or secondary plant substances such as beta-carotene, OPC (resveratrol), flavonoids, lycopene (in tomatoes), zeaxanthin (spinach, peppers) or allicin (in garlic). This is why it is so important to include plenty of plant-based foods in the diet.

Zinc, selenium and vitamins C, E and B2 can help to protect the cells from oxidative stress.

But what does “antioxidant” actually mean?

And what exactly do antioxidants do in our body?

Behind the bulky name are a host of real superheroes who can make our lives a lot easier – and the older we get, the more antioxidant support we may need.

But very few people know what antioxidants are and how they work.

The concept of antioxidants is quite complex.

What are antioxidants and how do they work?

Free radicals and oxidative stress in the body

Free radicals are unstable, electrically charged molecules in the cells that react with other molecules (e.g. DNA) and can damage them.

They can even trigger chain reactions in which the molecules they damage also become free radicals.

Antioxidants help our body to protect itself from oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an excess of free radicals that cannot be compensated for by the sufficient presence of antioxidants.

For example, when we spend a lot of time in the sun, smoke, have stress, or neglect a balanced diet. Because free radicals have at least one unpaired electron that is desperately looking for a partner, they simply steal the right counterpart randomly from other body molecules.

Theft, however, always has consequences: Because now these electrons are missing in the wrong places and the organism is out of balance – oxidative stress, i.e. stress for our body cells, is created.

This is where antioxidants come in… when a molecule loses an electron and turns into a free radical, the antioxidant molecule enters and “gives” an electron to the free radical, which it effectively neutralizes.

Antioxidants are therefore of great importance for our wellbeing?and are essential for a well-functioning organism.

Summary

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radical damage, unstable molecules that can damage cell structures. They do this by giving electrons to free radicals and neutralizing them.

Antioxidants and free radicals are both important

Free radicals are constantly being formed during metabolism.

Without antioxidants they would destroy our body very quickly.

However, it is important to note that free radicals also perform important functions that are essential for our survival.

For example, the body’s immune cells use free radicals to kill bacteria that try to infect us.

Like so many things in the body, we need a certain balance… we need the right amount of free radicals and the right amount of antioxidants to keep them at bay.

If this balance is upset, mistakes can happen.

When the number of free radicals (pro-oxidants) exceeds the number of antioxidants, this can lead to a condition called oxidative stress.

Important molecules in the body can be severely damaged by oxidative stress…

There are several known stress factors and lifestyles that promote the excessive formation of free radicals and oxidative stress:

Air pollution.
Cigarette smoke.
Alcohol consumption.
Toxins.
High blood sugar level.
Consumption of large amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Radiation, including excessive sunbathing.
Infection by bacteria, fungi, or viruses.
Excessive intake of iron, magnesium, copper, or zinc.
Too little oxygen in the body.
Too much oxygen in the body.
Intense and prolonged exercise that causes tissue damage.
Excessive intake of antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E.
Antioxidant deficiency.

Summary

The body needs a certain balance between free radicals and antioxidants. If this balance is disturbed, oxidative stress can occur, which can have all kinds of negative effects.

Which foods are rich in antioxidants?

Antioxidants are vital and are found in many different foods

In addition to vegetables and fruit, wholemeal products, like whole grains, nuts and legumes also contribute to the supply of secondary plant substances. Many of these substances from vegetables, fruit or cereals are found in the outer shell components. During the processing of these plant foods by peeling or grinding, large parts of the secondary plant substances can be lost.

Berries

Dark berries, such as blueberries, are an excellent source of secondary plant compounds.

Garlic

Anyone who uses garlic often when cooking does something good for his or her wellbeing because it is rich in antioxidants.

Dark chocolate

Good news for all chocolate lovers: chocolate is also one of the foods with a high antioxidant content. The content increases with increasing cocoa content

Turmeric

The antioxidant content of spices and herbs can be immense.

Nuts and seeds

Among the valuable sources of nutrients and some antioxidants are nuts and seeds.

An adequate intake of antioxidants is essential for a balanced diet.

For sufficient antioxidants:

Put fruit and vegetables on your plate every day

How many antioxidants do you need daily?

The question now is how much one should eat in order to be prepared for oxidative stress.

Take a look at the ORAC values of our food. This Orac stands for Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity.

Translated this means: the ability of a food to neutralize free radicals. The ORAC value precisely quantifies the antioxidant reactivity of a food. About 5,000 ORAC units should be consumed daily. Sounds like a lot, but it is not difficult if you know which product has a high antioxidant content.

Antioxidants where can I buy it?

Our recommendation: Ciaga – the full berry power with a high Orac value.

Kenzen Super Ciaga Powder has all the goodness of the juice but with only 10 calories per serving. This superfruit antioxidant mix is naturally sweetened with organic monkfruit which is super sweet and has no calories. Since there is no added sugar, Super Ciaga has gone from 100 calories per serving to 10!

This advanced formula is made with a select group of superfruits chosen for their nutrient-density and immune-boosting characteristics. Highly concentrated, it has an exceptional ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of 5,000,

Incorporated into a daily regimen, Super Ciaga helps support healthy cellular functions, a healthy immune system, healthy heart and blood vessels, natural energy levels and overall well-being.

A great replacement for sodas, simply add a scoop of Super Ciaga to a glass of PiMag? water or seltzer for a naturally sweet and healthy beverage! The powerful maqui berry and elderberry are enhanced with blackberry, raspberry and blueberry, shown in research to be anti-carcinogenic, anti-viral and anti-bacterial.

Super convenient, Super Ciaga Powder is packed in easily portable jars that you can take on airplanes. You don’t have to refrigerate it after opening-simply keep at a cool room temperature.

– Provides vital nutrients and antioxidants
– Highly concentrated fruits with natural anti-inflammatory qualities
– High level of polyphenols and anthocyanins*
– Helps neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals
– Supports cardiovascular and immune health*
– Supports natural energy levels and overall well-being*
– Helps boost the immune system
– Contains natural plant coloring with antioxidant characteristics
– Contains naturally-source vitamin C and manganese
– Combination of superfruits high in antioxidants, fiber and minerals
– USDA certified organic
– gluten free
– No artificial flavors or colors

* No preservatives, herbicides or GMOs

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.