You may have heard of free radicals but do you know what causes an excess of them in our bodies? Cigarette smoke and environmental toxins are two of the biggest culprits. Pesticides in our food and too much alcohol can also trigger free radical production. Even too much exercise can increase the production of free radicals. Normal cell function produces a certain amount of free radicals and the body hopefully produces enough natural antioxidants to protect us from the rigors of oxidation. When too many free radicals are around though, they damage the DNA of the cell, which can lead to disease. To augment what the body produces naturally, a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans ensures that you have more protection against cell breakdown.
Even if you are not a vegetarian, it can't hurt to add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. You might even consider going veggie a couple of days a week. There is a reason we hear so much about antioxidants, they are one of the best defenses we have in today's environment.
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