Do you know what free radicals, antioxidants, and superfoods are?
Some people aren’t familiar with those terms. Others have heard these terms tossed around so often that they have forgotten what they mean. Do not worry about your knowledge on these subjects.
We will help you understand them so that you can effectively use, or avoid, these in your journey to becoming healthy.
What are Free Radicals?
Free radicals are unstable atoms that can cause damage to our bodies’ cells.
Free radicals are often linked to illness, weak immune systems, inflammation, and aging. To understand how free radicals do this, we need to understand some basics of chemistry.
Atoms have a central bundle called a nucleus filled with protons and neutrons. Surrounding the nucleus are electrons.
If an atom loses an electron, it becomes unstable and is known as a free radical.
Atoms desperately want to be stable, so a free radical will start reacting quickly with substances around it in order to become stable again.
This can hurt our health. Free radicals break down our body’s cells, weakening our immune system, and aging us as they search for an extra electron.
Avoiding exposure to toxic chemicals as well as making good lifestyle choices such as avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol, or eating fried foods can decrease free radicals within yourself.
High blood pressure and high blood sugar levels have also shown to increase free radicals in your body.
Our bodies will also produce free radicals naturally through exercise and the metabolism process.
Keep in mind, that the goal is to not get rid of all free radicals, that is not possible. What you want to do is help your body prevent excessive amounts of free radicals building up that it can not properly manage, and thus causing damage.
So is there anything you can do to help your body better manage free radicals? Well, there is a way to decrease the effects free radicals can have on the body - through antioxidants.
What are Antioxidants and superfoods?
Antioxidants are substances that help prevent oxidation - a process that produces free radicals.
Antioxidants do this by giving electrons to free radicals, stopping them from damaging your body or slowing down the process of oxidation. Common antioxidants include:
- Beta-carotene
- Flavonoids
- Lycopene
- Lutein
- Selenium
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Antioxidants are found in foods that are colorful and full of nutrients. These types of foods are called superfoods. Here are some superfoods that hold a lot of antioxidants:
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Pomegranates
- Berries
- Carrots
- Beets
- Red Cabbage
- Green tea
These superfoods not only help rid your body of free radicals but also have many other health benefits.
Superfoods boost your energy and immune system, contain lots of vitamins, and can help reduce blood pressure.
Lots of people struggle to get the antioxidants they need. It is difficult to know if you have enough superfoods in your diet.
Making smoothies with superfoods and using antioxidant powders can help. Smoothies blend down the foods so that they are easy to eat and travel with. Smoothies are also easy to make.
Antioxidant powders are an even easier and more convenient way to get a more diverse profile of nutrients from superfoods.
For example, in your smoothie, you might have 3... 5... or so superfoods. Whereas a high-quality superfood powder can have 50 ingredients!
This helps eliminate the worry that you are not getting enough antioxidants every day.
Antioxidant Powders
Antioxidants powders concentrate superfoods so that it is mostly antioxidants and vitamins. Powders are a quick and easy way to consume antioxidants. There are different types of antioxidants powders.
Red powders, also known as berry powders, contain ingredients like berries and other red-ish colored fruits and veggies.
Green powders have ingredients that are mainly leafy and green and tend to be lower in calories than red powders.
You can even mix a red and green antioxidant powders together to give your body a broader spectrum of superfoods, nutrients, and health benefits!
Antioxidant powders are very convenient. You can put them in some cold water and sip it throughout the day.
You can make a meal out of it and make a nutrient-packed smoothie with them. Some people sprinkle the powder over yogurt or mix it into your protein ice cream. Mixing powder into bread or noodle dough will not only boost the flavor but will also give the dough a beautiful color.
There are so many great ways to add greens and reds powders to your diet. There’s at least a few that you could easily do.
When buying antioxidant powders, you want to use a product that has the best ingredients... which is true when you are buying ANY supplement.
At 1st Phorm, we have the best antioxidant powders for your goals. We believe in our products and use them ourselves. We have seen the difference first hand and invite you to see for yourself the difference 1st Phorm’s antioxidant powders can make for you.
You do not need to be a health expert to understand the benefits of eating foods full of antioxidants.
Do you need a boost in natural energy?
Do you want to stay looking younger longer?
Feeling sick and want to boost your immune system?
Antioxidants can help. Eating a colorful diet or consuming powders will ensure that you are getting the antioxidants you need in your diet.
And if you’re looking for a great place to start, give either Opti-Greens 50 or Opti-Reds 50 a try. You’ll love the changes you notice by adding an antioxidant powder to your diet.
If you need any additional assistance finding the right supplement to reach your goals, reach out to us!
Our team of NASM Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches are always happy to help. Just shoot us an email at CustomerService@1stPhorm.com or give us a call at 1-800-409-9732 anytime!
