Why Are Antioxidants So Important for Health?

Antioxidants are important to the human body for a variety of reasons. While many parents know the importance of these compounds within fruits and berries, not everyone understands just how important these minerals can be. As antioxidants are plentiful in a wide range of foods, it can be fairly simple to make sure your child eats enough in order to remain healthy.

1. Cancer Prevention – A regular balance of antioxidants can help stave off the developments of many different kinds of cancers. Free radicals within the body can cause cell damage leading to cancerous growths. Although children are less likely to develop these kinds of problems, maintaining a diet of antioxidant-rich foods can help prevent developing cancer later in life. As longs as you teach the child that berries and fruits are more beneficial than sugars and starches as a snack, you can help your children develop eating habits that can be conducive to a less problematic future.
2. Repairing Sun Damage – When you’re a child, it’s fairly easy to not pay attention to when the sun starts burning the skin. Sun burns can be more than simply turning the skin red and causing the afflicted area to hurt. It can cause cellular damage which can lead to worse conditions later on such as skin cancer. Since antioxidants assist in the repair of this damage from the sun, you could help stave off more severe complications by including more antioxidant-rich foods in the child’s diet. While these kinds of foods can be beneficial, you should always make sure your child is wearing proper sunblock. These foods are only assisting the body to conduct repairs, not shield the child from harmful UV rays.
3. Illnesses – Coincidentally, the foods that provide high levels of antioxidants are also those that include high levels of vitamins and minerals that assist in illness prevention. These include vitamins C and E as well as beta-carotene and other carotenoids. Regular sustainable levels of proper vitamins and nutrients can keep your child from suffering now and later in terms of sicknesses. Although there is still a chance for your child to become ill after eating foods rich in these minerals, a regular intake of antioxidants can greatly reduce the chances.
4. Plentiful Supply – Antioxidants are in a wide variety of foods. Although they are commonly found in fruits and berries, meats and seafood contain other types that can keep your child healthy as well. Zinc is an antioxidant found in red meats, poultry, nuts, dairy products and a wide range of seafood. This antioxidant not only scrubs free radicals from the blood stream, but it can also assist in immunity functionality as well as improving cardiovascular health. While it may seem a bit early for parents to concern themselves with cardiovascular health of the child, a regular consumption of zinc in various foods or vitamin supplements can reinforce the system now as he or she develops.

As many fruits and vegetables cost less than the average candy bar when considering the mass of the product, it is cheaper to give your child food that is healthier. This is aside from the fact that you can grow a large portion of these foods. Help your children achieve a healthier future with nutritious foods and snacks.

Always curious, Ashley Hardway is constantly learning and passionate about sharing what she learns with others. Based in the Houston, Texas office of Morningside Nannies, she loves to help families grow stronger, help their environments and communities, and keep moving Check out @NannyLady on Twitter to connect and find out more.