Recently, the mediaare strongly pushing to take antioxidants to maintain health. There are a significant number of myths about these substances among the people. Let's figure out whether we really need synthetic antioxidants, which are present in biologically active additives and cosmetics.
First, let's see what exactly antioxidants are
There are a lot of things going on in our bodychemical reactions. In this regard, molecules that lack electrons are formed in the body. Such molecules are called free radicals. Free radicals can enter into various chemical reactions that can lead to malfunctions in the cell and in the body as a whole. The so-called "oxidants" are formed. To neutralize them and save the cell from unfavorable chemical processes, there are antioxidants. In a healthy body, the number of free radicals and antioxidants is balanced. If there is an imbalance between these substances in the body, then it is quite possible that pathologies will occur that can lead to various diseases. An unfavorable environmental situation, smoking, and exposure to harmful ultraviolet radiation on the human body contribute to a decrease in the level of endogenous (produced by the body) antioxidants. In such cases, taking exogenous antioxidants is quite justified: food containing antioxidants, dietary supplements, and the use of cosmetics with antioxidants. The media and advertising agents claim that synthetic antioxidants are in no way inferior to natural ones. But experts in this matter have proven that this is not so. Cosmetics containing a huge amount of synthetic antioxidants can cause significant harm to a person. Taking various dietary supplements with antioxidants is also not always justified. If you eat right and eat fruits and vegetables, the body itself will produce enough antioxidants to fight free radicals. Green tea contains many useful substances and antioxidants. A large number of natural antioxidants are present in grapes, blueberries, sea buckthorn. The most powerful antioxidants are vitamins C, E and A, as well as the trace element selenium. But an excess of these vitamins can, on the contrary, harm the body instead of benefit. Antioxidants present in cosmetics should be complex. Here, by the way, we can apply the proverb: "One in the field is not a warrior." There is a popular belief that antioxidants help rejuvenate the body and slow down the aging process. Large-scale studies have been conducted in this area. The results of the scientific study were published in the electronic version of the well-known BBC news channel. Unfortunately, the claim that antioxidants promote rejuvenation turned out to be just a fairy tale. But still, scientists have come to the conclusion that antioxidants can help in the fight against and prevention of diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Antioxidants also help maintain good physical shape and muscle strength. But as mentioned above, everything should be done in moderation. And it will be much better for your health if you eat foods containing antioxidants, and not their synthetic substitutes (
