Health is not possible without antioxidants
Over the course of a year, the body produces around 1.7 kg of free radicals through metabolic processes. However, significantly more of these dangerous molecules enter the organism through external influences (stress, toxins, medications, and more).
Free radicals can cause a cell to accumulate up to 50,000 "injuries," and they don't even stop at the cell nucleus, where the sensitive genetic material is located. For this reason, they are considered among the body's worst enemies, as they are responsible for the development of most diseases.
Antioxidants are the enemies of free radicals. They can neutralize free radicals and thus prevent destructive oxidative processes.
This promotes free radicals
• Radioactive radiation (air travel, X-rays)
• Heavy metals in food
• Stress and psychological strain
• too little exercise
• Nutrient deficiency due to malnutrition
• Certain food additives
• Pesticides, fertilizers, nitrates
• Cigarette smoke
• Alcohol
• UV light (sun, ozone, solarium)
• Electrosmog
• Taking medication
• Illness, inflammation, diabetes, chemo
• Anaerobic exercise
• Roasting agents in food preparation
Antioxidants
In addition to numerous vitamins and minerals, secondary plant substances, so-called bioactive substances, in particular, have a strong health-promoting effect.
They prevent cardiovascular diseases and support the body through their anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects . They have even been shown to have beneficial effects on cancer.
In the plant itself, these substances are responsible for defense against pests and diseases as well as for protection against free radicals.
Free radicals are associated with damage to human cells and accelerated aging .
Flavonoids , as polyphenols , belong to the larger group of secondary plant substances . They give plants their color and protect them from harmful external influences. Flavonoids ward off predators, inhibit disease, prevent excessive sunlight, and protect against radiation. Flavonoids exhibit a similar effect in the human organism.
Anthocyanins, a member of the flavonoid group, are found in plants with red, blue, and blue-black coloring. They are considered powerful antioxidants , i.e., scavengers of free radicals.
No food contains more anthocyanins than aronia berries
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) are a colorless bitter substance and precursor to anthocyanins (responsible for the astringent taste and the associated tightening of the mouth) . OPC is as important as vitamin C and its constant partner in nature. The high OPC content (the most powerful known antioxidant) makes the aronia berry the health fruit with the greatest potential.
OPCs have a positive effect against breast cancer by suppressing estrogen biosynthesis (conversion of male sex hormones) . Estrogens are an important hormone in the
Breast cancer development. (Eng, Ye et al. 2003)
OPC 's have a protective effect on the gastric mucosa
(by reducing the secretion of the gastrointestinal hormones gastrin and histamine)
OPCs reduce the production of cancer-causing hormones (such as prostaglandin) and increase the activity of protective radical scavengers (superoxide dismutase) (Iwasaki Matsui et al. 2004)
In patients with the skin disease hyperpigmentation (chloasma), taking OPC -rich grape seed extracts improved the skin's appearance by 83 percent. Proanthocyanidins also possess antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergenic effects. ( Yamakoshi, Sano et al. 2004 )