The Controversy of Antioxidants
Many of the so called “super foods” on the market today are packed with antioxidants. This includes tropical fruits such as the acai berry and the noni fruit, but it also covers many more local favorites, such as blueberries and red beans. However, antioxidants themselves are the subject of some real controversy in the health field. While many proponents of super fruits, supplements, or other methods of getting antioxidants will point to the many benefits it has, others cast accusatory glares while providing evidence of the potential harm that excessive antioxidants can do.
The term “antioxidant” refers to a number of vitamins and nutrients that can help prevent the damage that is caused during the oxidation process. During the process of oxidating your tissue, your body will naturally produce molecules known as “free radicals.” Having enough antioxidants will prevent these free radicals from damaging your health. Vitamins and minerals that have antioxidant properties include beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E.
The proponents of antioxidant use claim that antioxidants prevent the likelihood of cancer, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, arthritis, Alzheimer’s disease, cataracts, and heart disease. The evidentiary support for this comes from a large number of observational studies, where in the lifestyles of various individuals were examined, and common trends were extracted in order to make conclusions about healthy dietary choices.
However, other studies provide words of caution. Several studies have shown that taking antioxidants in supplement form can actually increase the chance of cancer and heart disease in some patients. There may be other explanations for the adverse reaction some members being studied have had. Some theorize that supplements may simply not be an effective way of delivering the nutrients, and that eating the fruits directly may provide a far healthier and more effective way of getting antioxidants to the body. Others feel that the test groups being used may have been too unhealthy or too old to begin taking such large quantities of antioxidants. Another popular theory that one should bear in mind, though, is that the antioxidants may become toxic when taken in such large doses.
