
Antioxidants and BioflavonoidsIn the body, the term antioxidant refers to a protective compound that is able to limit the cellular damage that can result from unchecked oxidative stressors called free radicals. While antioxidants perform many functions in the body, they make their ultimate contributions to our health and longevity by “sacrificing” themselves to stop destructive oxidative reactions before they can consume healthy cells. While the body produces its own antioxidant defenders, such as the enzymes glutathione and superoxide dismutase, these self-made antioxidants cannot do the job alone. Many of the most important antioxidants must come from the foods and supplements we consume. Vitamins C and E are dietary antioxidants with which most people are quite familiar, and both are essential to good health. They appear naturally in plant-sourced foods. While vitamins C and E have received more public attention than other antioxidants, they are but two of the cornucopia of antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables and other plant-foods. This is important, because no one or two antioxidants can be effective against all free radicals in every different part of the body at the same time. It is therefore essential that we consume a wide variety of antioxidants throughout the day. The term bioflavonoid is used to describe members of the largest and most significant group of plant-sourced antioxidants. In nature, it is the bioflavonoids that give fruits their distinctive colors, such as deep purple hue of berries and red wine grapes. Other bioflavonoids are believed to be responsible for the well-documented health benefits of drinking tea. Some bioflavonoids help to increase the efficiency of other antioxidants like vitamins C and E. The most important point is that bioflavonoids are as diverse as the plants that contain them. What many of the key dietary bioflavonoids have in common is that they have been shown to exert a positive influence on the structural integrity and efficiency of the circulatory system. The bioflavonoids in red and purple grapes and berries, for example, help to keep our blood vessels healthy, strong and resilient, allowing blood to flow more effortlessly through the system. Tea bioflavonoids, meanwhile, have been shown to help keep the blood vessels “relaxed”, which again supports healthy circulation. Because healthy circulation is vital to a healthy body – and a healthy sexual response – ratcheting up one's bioflavonoid intake is an important first step in achieving optimal sexual-circulatory wellness. |
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