Leaning on antioxidant-rich foods is generally safer and better for health.
A dietitian explains why.
While they can be obtained from food, some people rely on antioxidant supplements to boost their antioxidant intake.
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However, research shows this may not be the best thing to do for your health.
Learn what antioxidant supplements are, their effectiveness and the best antioxidant-rich foods to eat.
What Are Antioxidant Supplements?
Antioxidants help prevent or delay oxidative stress from free radicals, perStatPearls.
Free radicals result naturally from exercise and converting food to energy.
Antioxidant supplements are essentiallyhighly concentrated dosesof the given nutrient.
Types and Varieties
Antioxidant supplements often come in powder, pill or liquid form.
Do They Work?
According to theNIH, these could include delayed wound healing and gum inflammation.
Researchers determined this difference to be statistically significant and not just related to chance.
Frequently Asked Questions
In general, antioxidant supplements are unnecessary for healthy people without a nutrient deficiency.
They are not shown to have the same health benefits as consuming antioxidant-rich foods like fruits and vegetables.
So, it’s best to focus on eating more plant foods rich in naturally occurring antioxidants.
The most powerful antioxidant supplement is the one you are deficient in.
And you’d be better off focusing on incorporating more antioxidant-rich foods in your diet.
Antioxidant supplements are linked with health issues in certain populations.
Since they contain highly concentrated doses of nutrients, they may increase the risk of toxicity.
They can also interact with medications, potentially decreasing the medication’s effectiveness or exacerbating its effects.
Antioxidant supplements are also expensive, so they can put an unnecessary dent in your wallet.
