Are you losing out on essential antioxidants
The cells in the body require enough and a continuous supply of antioxidant nutrients to deactivate damaging free radicals. Free radicals are highly unstable molecules that are naturally formed by bodily functions like digestion & detoxification. Your body can also be exposed to free radicals from a variety of environmental sources, such as engine fumes, cigarette smoke, air pollution, and sunlight. Simply put, if free radicals outnumber antioxidants, a chain reaction called oxidative stress starts to occur in the body, resulting in cell damage and diseases. Think about a car rusting, that’s oxidation in action!
Examples of antioxidants include essential nutrients such as vitamin C-A-E, selenium, zinc, lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin. Antioxidants are most abundant in colourful vegetables and fruits as well as in nuts and flaxseed. Did you know antioxidants are grouped according to their predominant phytochemical group or colour group? While research regarding colour’s effect on health is ongoing and often inconclusive, here’s a general outline of where and why you need colour in your daily diet!
Blue & Purple
Behind the colour: The blue and purple hues in foods are primarily due to their anthocyanin content. Examples include blueberries, blackberries, prunes, plums, pomegranates and eggplant or brinjal. (especially the skin).
Green
Behind the colour: The natural plant pigment chlorophyll colours green fruits and vegetables. Green leafy, cruciferous veggies such as broccoli, Brussel sprouts and cabbage contain phytochemicals which are excellent sources of vitamin K, folic acid, potassium, as well as carotenoids and omega-3 fatty acids.
Yellow/Green
Behind the colour: A variation of the green colour category, these foods exhibit a richness in lutein.
Examples are avocado, kiwifruit, spinach, and other leafy greens.
Red
Behind the colour: Lycopene is the predominant pigment in reddish fruits and veggies. A carotenoid, lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that has been associated with multiple health benefits for both women and men.
Red fruits and vegetables are also sources of flavonoids, which have antioxidant properties. Cranberries are another red fruit whose colour is due to a combination of anthocyanins and lycopene, are also a good source of tannins. Other examples include tomatoes and tomato products, watermelon, pink grapefruit, and guava.
Yellow/Orange
Behind the colour: Beta (β)-cryptoxanthin, beta (β)-carotene, and alpha (α)-carotene are all orange-friendly carotenoids that can be converted in the body to vitamin A. Examples are carrots, mangos, cantaloupe, winter squash, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and apricots.
For a daily insurance policy against cell damage, Nativa Complex® products can help meet your antioxidant needs.
