www.karenrothnutrition.com A study compared the anti-oxidant levels of some powerful vegetables, including broccoli, spinach, carrots, celery and onions and concluded that Beets had higher antioxidant power. They are an excellent source of folate for those of you preparing for pregnancy and others that are concerned with cardiovascular health. Beets are also a very good source for potassium They are a low calorie food, with 1 cup of cooked beets coming in at only 75 calories. Peak season is from June to October. This means the nutrient density and flavor are at the highest and cost is at the lowest. When selecting beets, look for deep color, with smooth skin and solid root. Avoid soft, bruised or shriveled beets. They will be tough too eat and have fewer nutrients. The key to storing once you get them home is to cut off the stems put them in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator without rinsing. When cooking, you want to leave the skin on but the leaves chopped off leaving a couple of inches. First you may want to use plastic gloves or cover your hands with plastic baggies, to avoid staining your nails and hands. Rinse them well, cut into 4 pieces, steam for 15 minutes or until they are soft enough to put a fork into. Now you will have to peel them, remember to use gloves or paper towels. Then toss with balsamic vinaigrette, feta or goat cheese and with some basil, or simply toss in a salad. You can make a great appetizer with chopping beets into small …
Question by Tracie: You always hear about the antioxidant effects of tea. Is this the best source?
Best answer:
Answer by Cristi@n
An antioxidant is a chemical that reduces the rate of particular oxidation reactions in a specific context, where oxidation reactions are chemical reactions that involve the transfer of electrons from a substance to an oxidising agent.
Antioxidants are particularly important in the context of organic chemistry and biology. All living organisms maintain a reducing environment inside their cells, all cells contain complex systems of antioxidants to prevent chemical damage to the cells’ components by oxidation. These antioxidants include glutathione and ascorbic acid and are substrates for enzymes such as peroxidases and oxidoreductases.
A diet containing polyphenol antioxidants from plants is required for the health of most mammals, since plants are an important source of organic antioxidant chemicals. Antioxidants are widely used as ingredients in dietary supplements that are used for health purposes such as preventing cancer and heart disease. However, while many studies have suggested benefits for antioxidant supplements in laboratory experiments, several large clinical trials have failed to clearly demonstrate a benefit for the formulations tested, and excess supplementation may be harmful. It is logical to assume that a one dimensional approach to dietary supplementation with one specific antioxidant is not a panacea, since a broad diet rich in phytonutrients will yield thousands of different polyphenol antioxidants available for metabolism.
click here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant#History
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