Antioxidants...Good or Bad...The Final Word!
So, when I went on my healthy eating plan a few months ago it seemed like a no-brainer to start loading my Muesli with Goji Berries, Blueberries, Cranberries and Pecan Nuts.......I increased my coffee consumption, drank more red wine (not easy, but i did my best), and even tried to eat more carrots .....all very delicious, BUT....am I doing the right thing?
I was causally bragging about my Super Healthy Anti Oxidant Muesli in the tearoom the other day when a couple of bright young medical students pointed out that evidence has emerged over the last couple of years that antioxidants are not all they have been cracked up to be!.....In fact, there have been a couple of studies that have suggested that they may even help cancer cells spread around the body. Well, i wasn't having any student dissing my muesli so...., after confiscating their biscuits, I promised to investigate!
So....What are Antioxidants?
Put simply they are a group of substances that prevent the formation of free oxygen radicals which in turn are substances that damage cells in the body, thereby leading to all sorts of problems such as heart disease, cancer, ageing of the skin and many other horrible things. So far, so good.....but it now seems that Too Many antioxidants may actually protect free oxygen radicals.
I was confused and a little worried, so I picked up the phone and spoke to a very helpful Dietician at the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics Addenbrookes Hospital. She was able to reassure me that as part of a normal healthy diet Antioxidants are Good!
The studies mentioned above all involved giving patients high dose antioxidant supplements, especially Vitamin A....and as we know too much of a good thing isn't always good for you!
Bottom Line: Antioxidant-rich foods ARE good for you. If you want to take a supplement that's ok too....but stick to the recommended dose!
