Skip to main content
Close Close

Congratulations
You're on the list.

Make sure to check your spam folder so that our emails are always delivered into your inbox.
xo, Kourt
Give your inbox
and your life

the Poosh it needs.
By clicking SIGN UP, you agree to receive emails from Poosh and agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Free Shipping on All Domestic Orders.
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
  • LIFE + STYLE
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
  • KKB
Poosh
  • instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
  • Shop
  • search
  • search
  • body
  • diy
  • fitness
  • Giving Back
  • health
  • mind
  • Relationships
  • Sexual Wellness
  • soul
How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
Our 2023 Poolside With Poosh Was an ’80s Dream
Our 2023 Poolside With Poosh Was an ’80s Dream
Surprising Ways to Amp Up Intimacy
Surprising Ways to Amp Up Intimacy
Why You Should Elevate Your Legs for 20 Minutes a Day
Why You Should Elevate Your Legs for 20 Minutes a Day
Weird Dreams? These are the Most Common Culprits
Weird Dreams? These are the Most Common Culprits
What Is Shadow Work and How Do I Start It?
What Is Shadow Work and How Do I Start It?
  • Adulting
  • beauty
  • guides
  • Hacks
  • style
  • travel
I Got a Brow Transplant, and I Swear it Made my Face Look Younger
I Got a Brow Transplant, and I Swear it Made my Face Look Younger
Hot Rollers Are Back, Baby
Hot Rollers Are Back, Baby
You’re Giving Compliments Wrong
You’re Giving Compliments Wrong
How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
How to get Naturally Plump Lips in Minutes
We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
We’re Loving Latte Makeup for Fall—Here are the 3 Must-Have Products You Need For It
How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
How To Keep Your Tan After Summer, According to Jennifer Lopez’s Spray Tan Artist
  • decor
  • entertaining
  • kids
  • motherhood
  • Playlists
  • recipes
Our Exclusive ’80s-Inspired 818 Cocktails
Our Exclusive ’80s-Inspired 818 Cocktails
Poolside With Poosh ‘80s-Themed Playlist
Poolside With Poosh ‘80s-Themed Playlist
Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Fall Snack
Apple Nachos Are the Perfect Fall Snack
Stacey Bendet’s Ginger Tea Recipe 
Stacey Bendet’s Ginger Tea Recipe 
Chef K’s Vegan Churros with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
Chef K’s Vegan Churros with Vegan Chocolate Ganache
3 Minimal-Effort Recipes To Bring to a Labor Day Party
3 Minimal-Effort Recipes To Bring to a Labor Day Party
  • family
  • kourtney
Kourt’s New Weekly Tea Rotation During Her Pregnancy
Kourt’s New Weekly Tea Rotation During Her Pregnancy
Kourt’s First-Trimester Tips
Kourt’s First-Trimester Tips
5 Things To Know About Kourt’s New-ish Wellness Practice: Brain Mapping
5 Things To Know About Kourt’s New-ish Wellness Practice: Brain Mapping
Kourt’s Top Pregnancy Snacks
Kourt’s Top Pregnancy Snacks
Why Panchakarma is Kourt’s Holy Grail Detox
Why Panchakarma is Kourt’s Holy Grail Detox
How Last Weekend’s Gender Reveal Party Came Together in Less Than 48 Hours
How Last Weekend’s Gender Reveal Party Came Together in Less Than 48 Hours
What are you looking for?

Menu

  • Shop
  • HEALTH + WELLNESS
    • body
    • diy
    • fitness
    • Giving Back
    • health
    • mind
    • Relationships
    • Sexual Wellness
    • soul
  • HOME + ENTERTAINING
    • decor
    • entertaining
    • kids
    • motherhood
    • Playlists
    • recipes
  • KKB
    • family
    • kourtney
  • LIFE + STYLE
    • Adulting
    • beauty
    • guides
    • Hacks
    • style
    • travel
  • Newsletter
instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
health

Everything you Need to Know About ANTIOXIDANTS

By Poosh
share on pinterest share on facebook share on twitter Share on Flipboard share by email
 Photo credit @adark.lana
@adark.lana

Antioxidants are our number one crusaders against all kinds of stress. As the name suggests, they prevent compounds from oxidizing. Picture a freshly sliced apple or avocado. After a bit of time in the open air, that crisp and juicy, or supple and green, flesh begins to brown and wilt. Metal rusts, copper turns green. Oxidation effectively and swiftly gives a patina of age to all organic materials, including our bodies, from the inside out.

Science says that antioxidants are compounds that absorb oxygen, specifically in activated states, aka free radicals. Interestingly, our body creates free radicals, and a balance between them and antioxidants is necessary for proper physiological function, but that balance is very minimal on the free radical side. 

An essay in the Pharmacognosy Review states that “if free radicals overwhelm the body’s ability to regulate them, a condition known as oxidative stress ensues.” That is the stress we want to avoid. Oxidative stress contributes to the loss of vitality and function of our cells. At high levels, oxidative stress damages molecules and even causes cell death, which is dangerous for a number of reasons.

MIND

When we think of antioxidants, we usually zero in on skin health, and trust—that is definitely true. However, our cognitive health is at major risk when we are overloaded with free radicals or suffering from oxidative stress. Our brain cells require a significant amount of oxygen to properly function, let alone thrive. 

When free radicals ravage our brain cells, we lose them, rapidly. This puts us at risk of neurodegenerative diseases, like dementia, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. Our brain needs this clean oxygen to do its daily detox of metabolic waste, just like the rest of our body. 

Not only do brain cells die from lack of oxygen, but when our metabolic detoxification system is compromised, we run the risk of toxic build-up—plaque-like substances tied to these diseases, especially Alzheimer’s. Antioxidants help to prevent this toxic buildup, letting our brains detox as programmed so that we can think and recall clearly, and for as long as possible.

BODY

Oxidative stress also leads to chronic inflammation, and vice versa. Immune cells known as macrophages actually produce free radicals inside the body when fighting off foreign invaders. These free radicals damage healthy cells, causing inflammation. 

This is a normal process and isn’t something to worry about on its own. However, when we are overloaded with oxidative stress from the environment, processed foods, hydrogenated oils, chemicals, and more, it can trigger even more free radicals, creating a chronic cycle of inflammation, like a feedback loop.

Chronic inflammation is dangerous because it can lead to serious conditions like diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, and even cancer. When we overproduce free radicals, they interact with our cell membrane proteins and fats, actually changing and damaging our DNA and its function, permanently. Antioxidants are our safety measure to prevent this damage from occurring in the first place. Think of them as DNA insurance.

BEAUTY

While the health of our brain and DNA is like, a pretty big deal, the beauty benefits of antioxidants are the most well known. Because oxidative stress and free radicals damage our cells, while we might develop diseases and neurodegenerative disorders later in life, we will see the damage much sooner on our skin. Free radicals are the biggest culprit of premature aging.

Because our skin is constantly exposed to the elements, it’s not just what we eat that causes extrinsic skin aging (although that’s a big part—think processed foods, hydrogenated oils, pesticides, dyes, cigarettes, alcohol, and more). We also need to concern ourselves with the effects of the sun, pollution, and even psychological stress.

All of these wreak havoc on our cells by reacting with their oxygen, causing damage preventing nutrients from reaching our cells. We will see sagging, discoloration, dehydration, wrinkles, weight gain, and more if we don’t bulk up our antioxidant load.

So how do we be mindful about getting antioxidants in? First of all, we can cut back on fast food or prepackaged food, as hydrogenated oils are super inflammatory and release a ton of toxic free radicals in the body, and are a big component of junk foods with a long shelf life.

We should always, always wear sunscreen, avoid smoking, and avoid drinking in excess. Hydrating is key, but the easiest way to make sure we are eating tons of antioxidant-rich foods is to look for color. Bright purple, yellow, orange, red, and green plants are loaded with nutrients but, above all, antioxidants. The redder and the juicier, the better. And while we want to avoid binge drinking on the reg, red wine has some antioxidant benefits as well. Balance, baby.

The content provided in this article is provided for information purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice and consultation, including professional medical advice and consultation; it is provided with the understanding that Poosh, LLC (“Poosh”) is not engaged in the provision or rendering of medical advice or services. You understand and agree that Poosh shall not be liable for any claim, loss, or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance upon any content or information in the article.

Up next, be the first to know our weekly content and sign up for our Poosh newsletter.

You may also like...

Go to article What’s Actually Up with Those Artificial Dyes in Food? 
health

What’s Actually Up with Those Artificial Dyes in Food? 

Go to article How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
health

How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night

Related Articles

Goes to article How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night
health

How to Fall Back Asleep After Waking Up in the Middle of the Night

Goes to article These Are the Most Important Supplements for Brain Health
mind

These Are the Most Important Supplements for Brain Health

Goes to article 6 Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth 
health

6 Foods That Are Good for Your Teeth 

Goes to article What’s Actually Up with Those Artificial Dyes in Food? 
health

What’s Actually Up with Those Artificial Dyes in Food? 

Goes to article I Can’t Stop Taking Lemme Glow—And My Skin, Hair, and Nails Have Never Been Better
health

I Can’t Stop Taking Lemme Glow—And My Skin, Hair, and Nails Have Never Been Better

Goes to article Ingredient Spotlight: Castor Oil 
health

Ingredient Spotlight: Castor Oil 

Goes to article I’ve Embraced the Burn Thanks to Lemme’s New Capsules
health

I’ve Embraced the Burn Thanks to Lemme’s New Capsules

Goes to article 5 Moves To Boost Metabolism in the Morning
fitness

5 Moves To Boost Metabolism in the Morning

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • California Privacy Rights
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Accessibility

Keep in Touch

instagram pinterest facebook twitter youtube join newsletter
Reviewed by Allyant for Accessibility
  • © poosh, llc
    All Rights Reserved