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Tuesday, November 1, 2011

8 Unexpected Source of Antioxidants


Antioxidants are found mainly in fruits and colorful vegetables, and nuts. But recently researchers have found antioxidants in other food, which was unexpected.

When scientists first discovered the power of antioxidants can destroy free radicals cells, many people who hunt foods that contain antioxidants. Because antioxidants can prevent cancer, heart disease and other chronic diseases.


"Various substances kamikaze been found in many foods," said Christine Gerbstadt, MD, RD, of the American Dietetic Association, as quoted from MSNHealth, Tuesday (01/11/2011).
Getting antioxidant intake from various sources as much as it might be more useful than just getting antioxidants from some famous food as a source of antioxidants.


"Do not just eat blueberries or tomatoes every day and think that you have earned your intake of antioxidants. When the menu is diverse dietary antioxidants, it will get all the benefits of antioxidants widely," says Joe Vinson, PhD, an analytical chemist at the University of Scranton. Vinson has been specialized to measure the levels of antioxidants from food.


To-8 source of antioxidants from food that is not unexpected, among others:
1. Whole grain pastaResearch at the University of Scranton by Vinston found that, whole wheat pasta has three times more antioxidants than the pasta with additional materials or enriched pasta and delicate kind. Whole grain pasta should be listed 'whole wheat' as the main ingredient on the packaging. Vinston and his team compared the pasta is enriched with a variety of wheat from three brands of spaghetti.


"Many epidemiological studies showing that consumption of whole grains may reduce risk of heart disease. We used to think that this is because the fiber sweep cholesterol. But it seems it is more due to the positive effect of polyphenols on blood pressure," he said.
The concentration of antioxidants in wheat flour used to make pasta wheat comparable to those found in fruits and vegetables, "said Vinston.


2. PopcornPopcorn has polyphenols that 4 times more potent against cancer. Polyphenols are found in plants, especially in the fruit.


3. EggsEggs are not generally regarded as a rich source of antioxidants lutein. This is because the egg has only a low concentration of the antioxidant lutein. Antioxidants Lutein may protect eyes from macular degeneration and cataracts. Spinach is a major source of antioxidants lutein.
However, scientists from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University found that, lutein in egg yolk can be absorbed more effectively than from spinach. This is possible because the yolk antioxidants can help the body to process so much better.


"So even if an egg is only about 5 percent contained equal lutein is found in 1 / 4 cup of spinach, but the body can absorb three times more effective. Spinach and other green vegetables is still the best source, but the eggs are an easy way to get more lutein , "said Elizabeth Johnson, PhD.


4. Canned beansA 2004 study conducted by the USDA found that certain types of dry beans contain high levels of antioxidants. "But Americans generally consume more canned beans," said Mark Brick, PhD.
To determine whether antioxidants as many canned beans have dried beans, Brick and a team of researchers at Colorado State University measured the phenolic and flavonoid content of several types of commercially canned beans in a study in 2009 which has been published in Crop Science.
The scientists found all canned beans contain antioxidants, but the small red beans have the highest levels, followed by dark red kidney beans and black beans.


Even the canned beans, dark has 3 times as many phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are compounds in plants that can remove free radicals to protect cells from damage and DNA repair.


5. YogurtOnly about 1 cup low-fat yogurt can provide at least 25 percent of daily intake for riboflavin equivalent to 1 cup of boiled spinach. Although not an antioxidant, riboflavin (vitamin B) is very important in helping the antioxidant activity.
Without riboflavin, which has antioxidant glutathione in the cells can not destroy free radicals. So it can lead to increased risk of heart disease, cancer and other chronic conditions. Because riboflavin is water soluble, just being in the body several hours and must be replenished daily.


6. Canola oilHeart-healthy canola oil and is rich in antioxidants alphatocopherol, according to March Traber, PhD, of the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University. Canola oil is cheaper and has a milder flavor than olive oil.
Only one tablespoon contains 16 percent of the DV. Alphatocopherol is one of eight antioxidants in vitamin E, which prevents bad cholesterol (LDL) from oxidizing and forming free radicals. LDL potentially leading to heart disease and other chronic diseases.


7. Organic milk"By switching from regular milk to organic milk, it will get more powerful levels of antioxidants, including vitamin E and carotenoids, beta carotene, and lutein," said Gillian Butler, PhD, a researcher from the UK.


The results showed that Butler, the antioxidants in the milk of cows raised on organic diet or just eating grass, around 40-50 per cent more concentrated than cow's milk taken from the conventional.
"Cows that eat only grass without any additional supplements, would produce more milk rich in antioxidants," added Butler.


8. Natural sweetenerAmerican Society on average consume 130 g of refined sugar every day. If reducing your intake of sugar and use a natural sweetener such as molasses, honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup can be added antioxidants. It is in accordance with the opinion of the researchers at Virginia Tech University who examined the antioxidant content of some natural sweetener.


The researchers found that, molasses has the highest antioxidant levels, especially the kind of dark and blackstrap. Their study was published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.


Our results suggest that, honey, brown sugar, and maple syrup also contain significant levels of antioxidants. Previous studies have measured the antioxidant in a variety of honey and found that, the darker the honey types tend to have higher amount of polyphenols significantly.


For example, buckwheat has antioxidant levels 8 times higher than that of clover, which is also on par with sunflower and Tupelo honey.

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