Written by Samantha Gladish, Holistic Wellness Expert
If you're looking to feel more vibrant, energetic and healthier this summer, then getting enough antioxidants is essential to your overall health.
Our bodies produce what's commonly known as free radicals. These unstable molecules are a normal part of metabolic breakdown. Compounded by stress, poor eating habits and lack of nutrients, these free radicals can wreak havoc on our healthy cells.
We also produce free radicals when exposed to cigarette smoke, over exposure to the sun, drinking too much alcohol or enduring a traumatic injury. Antioxidants are the cells protectors and they help neutralize the effects of free radical damage.
So how do you get more antioxidants? Easy! By loading up your plate with fresh fruits and vegetables, you'll supply your body with a variety of antioxidants that help protect you from cellular damage.
Plants produce hundreds of antioxidants for their own protection. Many of these antioxidants are present in vegetables, fruits, herbs, spices, nuts and seeds, as well as tea, coffee, extra virgin olive oil, red wine and dark bitter chocolate. As you can see, getting in your daily dose of antioxidants involves eating some delicious foods!
Antioxidants produce the bright colors in fruits and vegetables, such as red peppers, dark leafy green kale and vibrant red strawberries. It's important to ensure you provide your body with a variety of these foods to ensure you are getting in a wide variety of antioxidants. There just happens to be thousands of them!
Important antioxidants you commonly hear talked about are vitamin C and Vitamin E. Vitamin C is essential for health. Load up on citrus fruits such as grapefruit, lemons and limes, as well as kiwis, which contain even more vitamin C than oranges.
Vitamin E is also an important antioxidant that is beneficial for your health. Be sure to load up on spinach, kale, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts, which are all rich in this important antioxidant.
A simple and effective way to load up on a variety of antioxidants is to use Progressive's Phytoberry. This highly concentrated berry based supplement is an excellent source of antioxidants for the maintenance of good health. Featuring over 40 fruit concentrates, phytonutrients, essential fatty acids and herbal extracts, PhytoBerry is specifically designed to offer whole body antioxidant® protection.
As a bonus, it tastes amazing! Add a scoop into some water in the morning or mix it into a morning smoothie with some coconut milk, fresh berries, spinach and almond butter for a delicious and satisfying smoothie.
Getting in your daily dose of antioxidants never tasted so good!
Samantha Gladish is the brainchild and fun loving foodie behind www.holisticwellness.ca . Focusing on weight loss and hormonal balance, Samantha coaches women all over the globe. From whole food nutrition, to strategic supplementation and using her Qualitarian approach, Samantha helps guide women to living happier and healthier. You can find her cooking up quality food on a regular basis or reading the latest health book. Samantha is a Registered Holistic Nutritionist, Metabolic Balance Weight Loss Coach, Hormone Cure Coach and Author of The Qualitarian Life. She is also the creator and developer of the unique and popular line of all natural holistic dental products, including Salty Kisses Toothpaste and Hippie Floss Oil.
