Can the products included in the Mediterranean diet provide a sufficient level of antioxidant protection for the health of your brain?.

Every day we are exposed to free radicals - unstable molecules that are capable of altering or damaging cells in our body. Unfortunately, it is impossible to avoid meeting with them, according to the Internet edition for girls and women from 14 to 35 years old Pannochka. net In addition to the fact that our body produces them as part of the normal process of oxygen metabolism by cells (oxidation), we are subjected to their attacks as a result of exposure to polluted environment, pesticides, alcohol, tobacco smoke, sun rays, chemotherapy and radiation, stress, and from - consumption of harmful fried or thermally processed food.

Free radicals (or accelerators of oxidation of molecules) are unstable because they contain unpaired electrons. In order to achieve stability, they steal electrons from normal molecules, damaging the cell itself and its DNA. This process leads to the formation of new free radicals that hunt for electrons from other molecules. A chain reaction arises that, as you understand, damages the innumerable number of cells encountered on the way.

Free radicals cause various diseases and manifestations of the aging process, including wrinkles and age spots, macular degeneration, cataracts, cancer, diabetes, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease. This applies not only to people.

A similar oxidation process causes darkening of the pulp of apples and the appearance of rust on iron.

The benefits of antioxidants Consuming antioxidants - the best defense of the body against free radicals. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals, preventing oxidation. These substances are also capable of sacrificing electrons to free radicals to stabilize them and, thereby, stop the chain reaction of cell destruction before it gets out of control.

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