What are free radicals anyway?
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What are free radicals anyway?
A free radical is basically a chemically unstable atom or group of atoms with unpaired electrons in its outermost shell. To make itself stable, it’s constantly trying to pinch another electron, therefore causing damage to anything that gets in its way – ie: neighboring molecules.
How do we fight free radicals?
Top 10 foods to fight free radicals
- 1 Whole cereals.
- 2 Pulses as often as possible, even every day.
- 3 At least 6 portions of vegetables and fruit every day.
- 5 Adequate cooking.
- 6 Fish is better than meat.
- 7 Red wine is better than white (just a glass at every meal)
- 8 Tea and coffee (if you don’t suffer from heart diseases)
What is an example of a free radical?
A notable example of a free radical is the hydroxyl radical (HO•), a molecule that is one hydrogen atom short of a water molecule and thus has one bond “dangling” from the oxygen.
Why are antioxidants good for you?
Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer and other diseases. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you’re exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation.
What’s the most powerful antioxidant?
Glutathione is the most powerful and important among the antioxidants our body produces. It’s a combination of three amino acids; it tackles ageing through the intestines and circulatory system.
What foods kill free radicals?
In addition to boosting your immune system, vitamin C also helps prevent the damage that free radicals cause by eliminating them before they become an irreversible problem. Foods high in vitamin C include oranges, grapefruit, bell peppers, strawberries, tomatoes, pineapple, papaya, broccoli, brussels sprouts and spinach.
How are free radicals harmful to the human body?
Free radicals ultimately harm and age the body over time because they damage DNA, cellular membranes, lipids (fats) stored within blood vessels and enzymes. Normally, free radicals — or as they’re also commonly referred to, reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species — live in balance with antioxidants in the body.
How are free radicals dealt with by the body?
Free radicals are formed naturally in the body or due to environmental factors. Basically free radicals are atoms with an unpaired electron. This makes it unstable. As the atom is less of one electron, it tries to become stable by stealing one electron from the adjacent atom . This leaves the neighboring molecule short of one electron.
What foods reduce free radicals?
Broccoli.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZRAUO51Wf8