Everything You Need To Know About Antioxidants + How They Can Increase Your Longevity

In my telehealth functional medicine clinic, I find that cellular health is often overlooked. However, almost everything about our health can be traced back to the health of our cells. 

Considered “the building blocks of life”, every one of your 37.2 trillion cells come together to make up various areas of your body including your muscles, organs, bones, and skin. They are responsible for taking in nutrients, converting nutrients into energy, keeping all systems of your body properly functioning, and skin looking youthful.

That’s why we need to do everything in our power to facilitate vibrant cellular health, including upping our antioxidant support.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are compounds found naturally in many fruits and vegetables. Their main role is to inhibit oxidation from outside triggers like toxins, poor diet, stress, excessive sun exposure, When excessive oxidation occurs, your body produces free radicals that end up damaging your cells.

Since your body doesn’t naturally produce antioxidants on its own, getting enough through diet and supplementation is necessary to fight off the onslaught of oxidative stressors that we face in our modern world.

There are actually many well-known nutrients that are considered to be antioxidants, including:

• Vitamins: E, C, A (also known as Beta-Carotene)
• Enzymes: Glutathione, Superoxide dismutase, Catalases
• Phytochemicals: Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Polyphenols

Thankfully, a lot of these nutrients - specifically polyphenols and vitamins - can be found in abundance in a variety of vegetables and fruits. Some of the most extensively studied fruits include:

     1. Blueberries + Cranberries

These popular berries have been shown to be highly effective at ridding the body of free radical damage and can increase the body's overall antioxidant levels. (1) 

     2. Bilberry + Chokeberry

Has been shown to significantly increase the concentration of health-supporting polyphenols in plasma. (2)

     3. Goji berries 

Consumed for over 2000 years for their health-promoting benefits, research shows that goji juice supplementation can increase antioxidant markers. (3)

     4. Mangosteen

This "berry-type" fruit has long been used in traditional medicine and has recently been studied for its role in antioxidant and immune support. (4)

     5. Pomegranate + Grapes

Pomegranate and grape juice has been found to support optimal cardiovascular health and function. (5)

     6. Apples 

You might be familiar with the phrase, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away." Research supports this age-old wisdom showing that apple polyphenols play a protective role in lowering oxidative stress.