Since young ages, children must be educated to consume natural foods that contain vitamins. Antioxidants’ role is to neutralize the free radicals that are quite harmful for our health by weakening the immune system and inviting microbes, viruses, diseases to settle into the body. So before we give your children candies, think that maybe it would be better to give them peaches, kiwis or berries.
Hereunder are the best antioxidants that the body needs, and the food containing such antioxidants. Obviously they are equally beneficial for parents as well, but children will eat even healthier food if they see it in their parents’ daily diet.
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1Beta-carotene
It has an important role in cancer prevention by annihilation of free radicals and “dissolution” of cancerous substances coming from the external environment. It also plays an important role in combating atherosclerosis, by reducing the risk of cholesterol deposition and in consequence the production of myocardial infarction. Furthermore, beta carotene has an anti-aging effect as it protects the skin against UV radiation and helps prevent many diseases caused by aging. You can find it in carrots, sweet potatoes, spinach, squash, apricots, peaches, nectarines, mango, papaya.
2Vitamin C
This vitamin is pretty known for its magic effects: increases the resistance of blood vessels, plays a major role in the proper functioning of various tissues and organs, regulates blood sugar and cholesterol, destroys toxins accumulated in the body, acts as an anti-allergic agent, increases the absorption of organic iron. Vitamin C can be assimilated by eating broccoli, peppers, kiwi, berries, tomatoes and citrus.
3Vitamin E
This is one of the most powerful antioxidants that helps in the proper development of the brain. Vitamin E is diuretic and hypotensive, strengthens and protects the heart, limits the production of cholesterol, adjusts the development pace of genitals at puberty and prevents growth disorder cases in children. You can find it naturally in seeds or their derivative oils, but also in germs of wheat, nuts and beans.
4Lipoic acid
Lipoic acid is an antioxidant that helps regenerate vitamins C and E after they have been used to neutralize these free radicals. It plays also an important role in transforming glucose into energy and preventing chronic hyperglycemia and its associated complications such as neuropathy. For an efficient lipoic acid absorption into the body, the diet must include red meat, potatoes, carrots, beets, spinach, yeast and animal organs.
5Coenzyme Q10
This substance is present in all body’s cells and indispensable for the normal evolution of the biological and biochemical processes, due to its major role in transporting the energy needed by the cells. To make sure that coenzyme Q10 a considerable contribution to your health, you must eat sardines, mackerel, offal, eggs, soybean oil, peanut, nuts and seeds.
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Of course, the nutrients above-mentioned are not the only ones of paramount relevance for the human body. You should check for more from medical sciences which usually keep people informed about the best way to stay fit across their lives.