Antioxidant Rich Foods Reduce Eating Associated Oxidative Stress

Did you know that eating actually causes the body oxidative stress? Recent research suggests that eating foods that contain antioxidants at every meal will help reduce this stress.

After food has been eaten, in the digestive system it is broken down into a large number of different compounds. Most of these compounds are absorbed in the intestine and provide the nutrients and energy that we need. Also as a result of the digestion of food there are small molecules that are very reactive. These reactive molecules are known as Reactive Oxygen Species, often abbreviated to ROS.

ROS are not necessarily bad. In small amounts, in the right locations, some types of ROS are used by, and are essential for signaling by many cells in the body. Cells also have some capacity to defend themselves from ROS. However, when they are present locally in large quantities, they can cause damage to the body.

Long term exposure to ROS can injure the body and have negative long term consequences. Types of damage that can be caused include cancer, atherosclerosis and increase the rate of aging.

Previous research has shown that after eating that the level of antioxidants in the blood decreases, due to the increased oxidative stress and generation of ROS that occurs on digesting food. New research demonstrates that if foods rich in antioxidants are eaten as part of a meal that the level of antioxidants in the blood does not drop. Stopping the cycling will be beneficial for conditions like the increase in atherosclerosis which is due to part to oxidative stress.

Foods tested in these studies that were found to be effective included blueberries, grapes, cherries and kiwi fruit. Only a few fruits were tested. Many fruits and vegetables have diverse antioxidant properties, and will also probably be effective in inactivating the various types of ROS. Therefore, it is important to eat a wide range of antioxidant containing foods.

A list of the antioxidant power of a large number of fruits and vegetables can be linked too, from this news release.

This research reinforces the message, that everybody should be eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and gives a good reason why. Further this research demonstrates that it is important to eat fruits and vegetables at every meal.