The Role of Antioxidants in Weight Loss

Posted by: lucas on October 6, 2011 Under: weight loss supplements|

Within the past several years, antioxidants have become a popular topic of discussion in the health and nutrition worlds. But what could be the role of antioxidants in a weight loss plan? Could they actually be used in combination with diet and exercise to achieve quicker and more effective weight loss programs? The answer is yes! While antioxidants won’t actually promote weight loss the way heavy exercise or dietary restrictions will, they can still keep us healthy while we lose weight.

The Role of Antioxidants: What Are They?

Antioxidants are molecules, including vitamins, minerals, and other compounds, that are found in many different types of food; in a nutshell, they help prevent the oxidation of other molecules in the body, which provides a host of health benefits. It’s been known for several years now that antioxidants have anti-aging properties: the prevent the formation of free radicals, which are harmful substances that damage cells in the body, including the genetic information encoded in our DNA. A diet rich in antioxidants can reduce the risk of developing diseases such as cancer and diabetes and can also prevent sunburn and wrinkles.

Antioxidants are most commonly found in fruits and vegetables. Some common foods rich in antioxidants include tomatoes, corn, carrots, asparagus, broccoli, berries, cantaloupe, green peppers, sweet potatoes, strawberries, and nuts.

The Role of Antioxidants in Weight Loss Programs

It’s clear that antioxidants provide some long-term health benefits, such as preventing against serious illnesses. But they can also be an effective addition to weight loss plans since they help keep dieters healthy when they begin to shed pounds. As the human body burns stored fat for energy, those fat molecules become oxidized and they release free radicals. However, an antioxidant-rich diet will counteract such an increased level of free radicals and protect the dieter from their negative effects.

In addition, heavy exercise such as strength training or an intense cardio session can create toxic compounds as the body burns energy, and antioxidants help to counteract those compounds. Finally, antioxidants are especially useful for dieters who use strength training to put on muscle and speed up their metabolisms: the process of muscle growth utilizes various nutrients, and foods rich in antioxidants help replace the lost nutrients.

It’s also a good idea to incorporate antioxidant-rich foods into a weight loss program simply because they tend to be healthy foods. While it may be difficult to base an entire meal on tomatoes, broccoli, or cantaloupe, these foods make good snacks for between meals or as side dishes in a larger meal. Make sure to include antioxidant-rich foods in your everyday diet plan and you’ll be well on your way to ensuring that you’re eating healthy food throughout the day.

Antioxidants aren’t a magic compound as some might speculate. They certainly have their place in any healthy diet and even in a weight loss plan, but they’re no substitute for a sensible diet and regular exercise. Including antioxidant-rich foods in your diet, however, can protect you from some of the long-term effects of weight loss and can put you on the right track in establishing your diet.