Antioxidant Rich Foods

— Administrator

In ancient times, they were exclusive to queens and princesses for taking care of delicate skin. Today, antioxidants are making headlines as the cure-all for the masses.  Far more than just the buzz, antioxidants seem to reveal natural and scientific secrets to longevity. 

Interestingly, certain antioxidant enzymes are produced in the body; other antioxidants are found in food—dark green vegetables, orange and red fruits.  When antioxidants exist in skin care products, they help to repair skin damage from the outside in.  (Meanwhile, improving upon our daily choices of lifestyle helps our bodies repair from the inside out.)

You’ve most likely been eating antioxidants without realizing it.  Walnuts, avocado, oranges and grapefruit, blueberries, papaya and carrots are forms of Vitamins E, C and Beta Carotene.  Some of these same nutrients you will find listed in skin care products. 

If only getting antioxidants rich foods were as simple as choosing what is most convenient and readily available.  However, many factors figure into which foods maintain nutritional value. The soil matrix, picking season, and the numerous stages of processing impact quality. 

Do I really know the nutritional content in a bunch of fresh (organic) spinach in my market?   Should I assume that a product that is packaged or canned is of less nutritional value than its fresh counterpart? 

Documented research shows that each time the food chain is processed, a little nutritional value is lost.  Likewise, when cooked beyond a certain point, both in time and temperature, the life is cooked out of food. However, if harvested and frozen in the height of season, a packaged organic option might contain more nutritional value than the “fresh” variety grown with pesticides and picked too soon.

While I grow most all the vegetables for my family, local farmers will soon begin supplying freshly picked vegetables and fruits of many varieties at the thousands of local farmers markets throughout the U.S.  By participating in local CSAs, you and your family can take advantage of this prime source for seasonally fresh produce. You can also talk with the growers about their methods in making your selections.

Likewise, news about antioxidants has gradually changed skin care from the run-of-the-mill lotions and potions, but there is far more to consider than the ingredients listed on a label.  Distinguishing between pure, natural, and organic is challenging, unless you are particular about the trade grade, medicinal grade, cosmeceutical or pharmaceutical grades. However, without understanding what defines each, those elements will add more confusion to your choice. 

Therefore, when is comes to antioxidants and skin care, it’s probably best to remember that less is more.  Look at a baby’s skin—soft, smooth (may be a dimple or two), cuddly, fresh and pure.  Your skin, as well, is meant to be translucent, touchable and smell good.  Consider how your skin will look, feel and smell when choosing an antioxidant treatment.  The product you buy should soothe and calm, provide deep hydration, be nutrient rich, deliver healing, and protect for anti-ageing.

Today, the healthiest foods and skin care products are affordable and available to the masses. We simply need to be informed consumers when making our selections.