Anti Oxidants

Flavonoids - Anti Oxidants -Berries - Bananas

Antioxidants are compounds that help protect cells from damage caused by harmful molecules known as free radicals. These compounds are found in fruit and act as powerful antioxidants, potentially enhancing brain and nervous system function while reducing the risk of heart disease. Antioxidants are essential for life and are present in a wide variety of accessible foods, including colorful produce, nuts, whole grains, and animal protein. Flavonoids can be found in other foods Including: lettuce, tomatoes, onions, kale, apples, and grapes, as well as wine and dark chocolate.

Making Smoothies- don't combine Bananas- Although Bananas are still good for you, researchers observed that consuming a smoothie containing bananas and berries resulted in about an 84% lower absorption of flavonoids than a smoothie containing only berries.

Bananas are rich in potassium and offer a host of other nutrients, like vitamins C and B6, dietary fiber, antioxidants, magnesium, and niacin. Studies have indicated that regular consumption of bananas may contribute to balanced blood sugar levels, support digestive health, aid in weight management and aid heart and kidney health.

Detoxify

What exactly are toxins and why should we be concerned with ridding our bodies of them (de-toxifying)? According to Webster, toxins are “unstable organic poisons”. Many of these poisons are mutagenic (cause tissue mutation) and carcinogenic (cancer causing). We in the industrialized world are literally surrounded by toxins. They can be found in the paper we touch, the plastics much of our food comes in, the food itself with pesticide residues, automobile exhaust and fluids, new car ‘smell’ and even the homes we live in through the off-gassing from carpets, paint and the glue that holds up the wallpaper. The list is almost endless. It’s a given that we cannot avoid ingesting, inhaling or absorbing toxins through our skin and mucus membranes. Since we cannot avoid contact with toxins (poisons), we need to assist our bodies in the task of neutralizing and eliminating them on an ongoing basis.

Detoxification starts with eliminating or reducing as many avenues of toxics entering our bodies as possible. Steps in that direction can include: limiting exposure to auto, boat, etc. fumes, thoroughly washing all produce, removing food from plastics and using glass when heating them in a microwave, wearing gloves and providing adequate ventilation when using even household cleaners, etc.

Beyond that, supplementing with the available arsenal of herbal, botanical, nutraceutical, vitamin, mineral and amino acid formulas designed for de-toxification is your best defense. Nutritional science is a burgeoning field and we regularly learn about new and more effective ways to nourish and de-toxify ourselves. Oh…and don’t forget to drink plenty of CLEAN water to help assimilate nutrients and flush out wastes.