PRESERVING VITALITY, ONE BITE AT A TIME

ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL SECRETS TO VITALITY HAS BEEN RIGHT IN FRONT OF US ALL ALONG. IT LIES IN ANTIOXIDANTS.

- Ishani Vellodi Reddy

The search for the Fountain of Youth is a tale as old as time. The pursuit of an age reversal mechanism has inspired such great moments in history as the writings of Herodotus in the 5th century BC and Ponce de Leon’s legendary 16th-century voyage, but it has also spawned the modern multi-billion dollar skin care, cosmetology, health, and beauty industries.

Epic though the story may be, one of the most powerful secrets to vitality has actually been right in front of us all along. It lies in antioxidants: the first and most easily accessible line of defense in slowing the aging process.

The explanation is simple. The human body produces molecules called free radicals as a part of its normal functions. Up to a certain level, they help defend the body from disease, after which they’re neutralized by antioxidants. When there is an excess of free radicals and not enough antioxidants to counteract them, however, aging and cell destruction occur through “oxidative stress.

On the one hand, it’s never a bad idea to avoid foods that we know tend to trigger free radical production. This includes a classic list of culprits like refined sugar, processed meats, red meat, and alcohol.