© 2008 DBA Design Action MySeeds Chia
When you think anti-aging, do you think of expensive
creams, spa treatments or surgery?
If so, you might want to look at another less-expensive, and
healthier alternative: Food.
Certain foods, including chia seeds with their antioxidants, can do
much more than fight the outward signs of aging, they can also help
ward off inner symptoms as well.
Many problems of the body are caused by inflammation & oxidative
damage done by free radicals. If you can fight these two causes, you
can look and feel better. The foods you eat provide your body with
the power to fight damage and inflammation, especially when you
mix different foods together. Learn about how anti-oxidants can help
you fight signs of premature aging, and what to look for in foods to
make sure you maximize your efforts.
What are free radicals?
These bad molecules can be a byproduct of normal metabolism. Free
radical damage can also be caused by exposure to pollutants in your
environment, food or drink. Everyone is exposed to free radicals as a
part of daily life, so it’s important to know what they do and how you
can minimize their effects on you.
Free radicals are formed when a molecule has an unpaired electron
and becomes unstable. When a molecule is unstable, it will steal an
electron from the nearest item it encounters. (usually a cell in your
body) Then, the molecule that was robbed becomes a free radical
itself, scavenging for a spare electron to use so that it will be stable
again. They can damage almost anything they come into contact with,
which is why the immune system sometimes creates them, and uses
them as a weapon against invaders it deems harmful.
Because free radicals can create chain reactions by stealing electrons
from the molecules that make up your cells, they can cause
inflammation, cell damage, and signs of early aging. It’s in your best
interest to fight free radicals with anti oxidants. The best way to get
your anti-oxidants, is to eat them. Since you really “are what you eat”,
the right foods supply lots of free radical fighters. Plants are your #1
source of healthy, free-radical fighting power with their rainbow of
hues & important phyto-chemicals.
You can fight free radicals with lots of different foods.
Food is your most potent weapon against free radical damage.
Certain foods & compounds in them have the building blocks your
body is looking for as it stops free radicals in their tracks. The most
common foods with high levels of antioxidants are fruits and
vegetables. The general rule of thumb is, "the more colorful it is, the
better it is for you".
There are many different compounds in natural foods that fight free
radicals. They do this by having a spare electron available to lend.
When one of these unstable free radicals approaches an anti-oxidant,
the anti-oxidant gives up its extra electron, and neutralizes the
danger. An anti-oxidant doesn’t become unstable, because that extra
electron was always just a spare. When you have plenty of free radical
fighting supplies ‘in stock’ your body is able to deal with these bad
guys right away. They don’t get a chance to damage cells.
What are the most common anti-oxidants you can
look for in foods?
Anthocyanins- These powerful helpers are the dark pigments in
plants. Plants will add anthocyanins to certain items, in order to
give them a rich, dark color. Things like blueberries, blackberries,
purple cabbage, cherries, and pomegranates all have plenty of
anthocyanins. Pale foods like cauliflower, white potatoes, and
lima beans don’t have any. There are even some exotic foods, such
as purple potatoes, heirloom tomatoes (these may have streaks of
dark red, purple, & orange) and black chia seeds with dark, rich
colors for you to choose. White chia is also good for you, but it
does not have the amount of anthocyanins you can clearly see
here, in 'black' chia.
See the dark color of the chia seed
shell? It’s provided by plant pigments
& contains anthocyanins.
Betanene- This is what gives beets a dark red color. It’s more potent
than polyphenols, which are found in green tea, black tea, dark
chocolate and olive oil. Don’t discount polyphenols though, green tea
has earned its reputation as a health drink for many reasons. NOTE:
drinking raw red beet root juice may lower blood pressure in people
who have hypertension. If you’re going to drink it, and are on
medication for blood pressure, you may want to have your doctor
watch over your progress.
A rainbow on your
plate!
Colorful salads like
these (with chia
dressing) are
packed with good-
for-you phyto-
nutrients. Every
color you see is
doing something
positive for the
plant…and it’ll work
for you too when you consume them.
When you see lots of color from plant sources, you can be certain
you’ll be getting antioxidants with the meal. Not only is color appealing
to the eye, it’s actually better for your health.
Vitamins A and C are also antioxidants.
Most people know the benefits of these fat & water soluble vitamins,
but overlook their property as a free radical fighter as well. Fruits and
vegetables are rich in A and C. Paprika, dried parsley, cayenne, chili
powder, and basil are all seasonings loaded with A. Citrus fruits, kiwis,
peppers, leafy greens, guavas, papayas and even strawberries have
lots of vitamin C.
Antioxidants work best when they’re mixed together.
Taking a supplement of an isolated antioxidant generally isn’t as
effective as mixing together multiples in one meal. They all work with
each other and build on each other’s benefits. Notice how tomatoes
have both vitamin C and anthocyanins. Adding seasonings to your
food, like a tasty basil pesto, diced peppers in chili, or parsley in
tabbouleh not only makes the food taste better, but it makes it
healthier as well.
What’s a great and easy way to add antioxidants to pretty much
any food?
Chia seeds. Chia seeds are tiny, they don’t taste like anything, and
they’re as easy to add as sprinkling or stirring into whatever you like.
All of the anti oxidant foods mentioned above have one thing in
common: they all have a flavor. Seasonings like paprika mentioned
above are good…but you wouldn’t want them in your cake, pudding or
yogurt. With chia, you can add antioxidants, B vitamins, calcium and
protein to almost anything and it won’t change the taste. Make healthy
dishes healthier, and power up your favorite foods by combining
antioxidants…like fresh strawberries in yogurt with chia mixed in.
You’ve got vitamin c from strawberries, calcium in yogurt and omega 3
healthy oils with fiber in chia. Does chia have any other antioxidants?
Yes! The less commonly known, but still important anti oxidants of chia
are myrecetin, quercetin, kaemferol, caffeic acid, and chlorogenic acid.
The possibilities are endless, and your menu is so much more
interesting when you add healthy spices, and combine anti oxidant
rich foods like fruits, veggies and chia seeds together. Now that you
know what to look for, enrich your menu with chia seeds and lots of
healthy fruits and veggies. We've got Chia Seed Cook Books AND free
instant recipe books for you to choose from. You’ll be surprised at how
many options are at your fingertips!
Antioxidants for Anti-Aging:
Let Chia & Food Help Fight Free Radicals