Free Oxygen Radicals and Health Nutrition

Free oxygen radicals, sometimes called oxygen free radicals or reactive oxygen species, are rogue molecules that, in an effort to complete themselves, steal oxygen molecules from other complete molecules, creating more radicals. These radicals are produced throughout the body as part of the healing process, inside and out. However, they are not a good byproduct, and actually slow healing and speed the aging process.

Outside of the body, these radicals can severely slow the healing of wounds. They can also speed the visible signs of aging, contributing to fine lines and wrinkles, skim blemishes and pigmentation changes. Inside the body, these radicals wear on our systems, causing our organs to age and our health to decline.

Research has shown that good health nutrition can slow the damage caused by free oxygen radicals. Specifically, anti-oxidants work to eliminate these radicals, helping us to live healthier and longer. Anti-oxidants are found naturally in a number of foods, and people who eat variety with good health nutrition in mind often take in an ample amount.

To ensure that you are getting the right amount of anti-oxidants, it is important to eat foods (specifically fruits and vegetables) which are high in these nutrients. Among the most powerful antioxidants are dark blue and purple fruits and juices, including: blueberries, pomegranates, acai berries and red grapes. In fact, this is why we so often hear that red wine is good for us – it is the antioxidant properties inherent to the red grapes which adds to our health nutrition.

As with many aspect of health nutrition, many supplements are available that tout their ability to add antioxidants to your health nutrition. But as is so often true, the best results are obtained by simply adding these healthy foods to your health nutrition program, ensuring that you have antioxidant juice and vegetables as snacks throughout the day.