Berries

Berries are known for their high antioxidant contents. But what are antioxidants exactly, and how do they benefit us? Antioxidants are compounds that help fight free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage your cells when in large quantities, resulting in oxidative stress. Factors that increase the production of free radicals could be internal, such as inflammation, or external, such as pollution, UV exposure, or cigarette smoke. Oxidative stress can lead to cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, digestive, and immune diseases, and has also been linked to cancer. So the antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help our bodies to neutralize free radicals in order to combat illness. Did you know that blueberries have the highest antioxidant capacity out of all fruits and vegetables? I bet that would definitely motivate you to eat more of those delicious berries! Antioxidants also help to fight inflammation. Inflammation is your body’s defense against infections and injuries. Unfortunately, today’s lifestyles commonly lead to excessive inflammation due to stress, insufficient amounts of physical activity, and unhealthy foods. The antioxidants in berries aid in lowering inflammatory markers, to prevent resulting conditions like diabetes and heart disease. Lastly, studies on antioxidants in berries suggest that they may help reduce wrinkles in your skin by controlling free radicals, one of the leading causes of skin damage that contributes to aging. Learn more about antioxidants here: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/301506#types.