Top 5 Facts About Antioxidants To Look Younger
We’ve heard the term ‘antioxidants’ thrown around in the beauty industry since the last decade. Not many of us know what they are about and what their benefits are. Do you? Let’s find out top 5 facts about antioxidants that you should know to look young.
1. Antioxidants in beauty
Many women swear by antioxidants as a mode to reduce signs of aging. Researchers suggest that the use of antioxidants like Vitamin A, E and C will stop the free radicals from damaging your skin. Do you know what I did when I was new to the world of antioxidants? I did not go out and buy loads of creams and gels which are specific antioxidants– the fancy stuff. Instead, I bought my usual quota of moisturizers and sunscreen. Only difference was that I made sure that whatever product I bought was loaded with the vitamins– A, C, E and more. It definitely made a difference and I feel that you should look for loaded products too.
2. Natural is better
Experts and some studies recommend that antioxidants are more effective when they are consumed via food you eat and not in the form of tablets. Do you get the message? In simple words, try and consume natural foods that are rich sources of antioxidants. Don’t cut back on healthy eating to think, “Oh, I will pop my vitamin pill. That should take care of everything”. Not the best way to go, missy! The key here is to have a well-balanced diet
3. Tea is the way to go
Coffee or tea– which is better? Researchers point out that it is a well-known fact that tea and tea leaves have strong antioxidant properties. Did you know that tea contains ‘polyphenols’ which will protect your skin against damage from free radicals and even by the bad cholesterol in the blood? Surely this would be a positive step in our efforts to erase those aging lines away. I’ve recently started sipping tea instead of coffee. The results may not be immediate but it sure tastes great. Go get your sip of antioxidant!
4. Know your top sources of antioxidants
Don’t let the local quack tell you which food is rich in those antioxidants. Some of the good sources of antioxidants include vegetable oils, nuts, whole grains, lean meat, sea food, milk, oranges, mango, spinach, blackcurrants, capsicum, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, soybean, lentils, pumpkin, eggplant, berries, leeks, onions and garlic. There we go. It is an exhaustive list but mind you it is not complete. Visit your local professional nutritionist to find out more on the best source of antioxidant for you.
5. Antioxidants call for lifestyle changes– From the inside and outside
Remember, antioxidants are not one day magic cures. Studies show that besides making you look younger by protecting your skin, they may also help in preventing health problems like muscular degeneration, heart disease and cancer. Before you run to the market and buy the best pills, let me warn you– Antioxidants will help you only if you make a deliberate lifestyle change. Creams containing vitamins A, C, E, Retinoic Acid, Coenzyme C10, etc have been proven antioxidants which give your skin a youthful radiance. But don’t simply rely on these ‘quick fixes’. The key here is to increase the internal (from foods) and external (from creams, gels, etc) consumption of antioxidants. Improve your lifestyle for that supple and smooth skin!
Before you jump on the antioxidants band wagon, it is important to remember that studies are still going on to verify all the claims that the cosmetic industry has put forward. It is not a one-day fix, and the effects are likely to occur over a long period of time.
