Antioxidants play a vital role within our bodies by neutralising free radicals within the body.  Free radicals only live for a short period of time, but whilst they are active they are looking for free electrons (the negatively charged part of an atom).  The damage from free radicals is caused by the fact that they take electrons from areas within the body which are dense in electrons like the DNA within the cells.This then causes damage to the cells and then the reproduction of the new mutated/damaged cells.

Antioxidants help remove free radials from the body because antioxidants are rich in oxygen and electrons which they are able to donate to the free radical reducing the risk of them causing damage to the cells.

Foods which we eat every day can be a great source of antioxidants.  Some of these food products include red kidney beans, blueberries, cranberries, raspberries, garlic, sesame seeds, grape seeds, tomatoes and reishi mushrooms.  There are also a couple of surprising beverages which also contain anti-oxidants like beer and red wine.  It is also recommended that we use olive oil when cooking as this oil is also high in antioxidants.

It is important that we try and prevent a loss in the nutrients and the antioxidants in the food to ensure that they will provide you with optimum levels of nutrients.  To prevent these losses you need to try and limit the amount of times that you cut your fruit and vegetables as the greater the surface area which has been exposed the greater the loss of nutrients (through oxidation).  It is also important to keep the foods at a cool temperature to prevent the heat from breaking the nutrients down.

As you can appreciate antioxidants can improve your quality of life and prevent many problems which are caused by disease and ageing. You should include a good quality antioxidant in your daily vitamin regime, and if you don’t think that you are getting enough from you diet, look at the range of supplements which are available which act as strong antioxidants within the body.

Some of these supplements include co-enzyme Q10, grape seed extract, cranberry, wheat grass, spirulina and propolis.  The benefit of using supplements is that you know you are getting sufficient amounts of antioxidants on a daily basis which will ultimately benefit your overall health and well being.

Ingredients:

1 ½ cup triticale flakes (are thin flat, rolled triticale grains)

2 cups rolled oats

3 cups rolled barley

1 cup fine oat bran

½ cup pepitas

¼ cup sunflower seeds

1 cup currants

1 cup sultanas

¼ cup almonds, chopped

1 cup dried apples, chopped

1 cup dried apricots, chopped

½ cup psyllium husks

¼ cup ground linseed

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix together thoroughly.
2. Store muesli in an airtight container.
3. Serve with fresh yogurt and skim or soy milk.