Antioxidant supplements take part in a protective role for our general health.  Antioxidants supplements are theoretical to postpone the oxidation reactions which are is caused by the free radicals. The Free radicals are extremely reactive unstable atoms produced in our body that can damage cells causing to ageing and a number of diseases. They can damage the DNA, proteins and other cellular structures like the cell organelles and membranes.

The reactions of free radicals in the cell, and subsequent damage inflicted has been associated with various disorders and chronic diseases including atherosclerosis, arthritis, cancer, Alzheimer’s and diabetes and also inflammatory conditions

Antioxidants supplements are able to slow down or obstruct these dangerous reactions in the body.  They can halt the oxidation reaction with intermediates or directly. They react with the free radicals and put off the oxidation reaction from occurring. 

Antioxidants supplements can be used as tablets and capsules or taken as dietary supplements. They can provide a range of benefits for our health. (more…)

Watermelon is an excellent source of vitamin C and a very good source of vitamin A, notably through its concentration of beta-carotene. Pink watermelon is also a source of the potent carotenoid antioxidant, lycopene. These powerful antioxidants travel through the body neutralizing free radicals. Free radicals are substances in the body that can cause a great deal of damage.

They are able to oxidize cholesterol, making it stick to blood vessel walls, where it can lead to heart attack or stroke. Fortunately, vitamin C and beta-carotene are very good at getting rid of these harmful molecules and can therefore prevent the damage they would otherwise cause. (more…)

The best way to choose a flavorful watermelon is to look at the color and quality of the flesh, which should be a deep color and absent from white streaks. If it features seeds, they should be deep in color.

Oftentimes, however, we do not have this liberty when purchasing watermelon since it is more common to buy a whole, uncut fruit. When choosing a whole watermelon, look for one that is heavy for its size with a rind that is relatively smooth and that is neither overly shiny nor overly dull. In addition, one side of the melon should have an area that is distinct in color from the rest of the rind, displaying a yellowish or creamy tone. This is the underbelly, the place that was resting on the ground during ripening, and if the fruit does not have this marking, it may have been harvested prematurely, which will negatively affect its taste, texture and juiciness.

For the most antioxidants, choose fully ripened watermelon. Fruits fully ripen, almost to the point of spoilage, their antioxidant levels actually increase. (more…)

Choosing to regularly eat lycopene-rich fruits, such as watermelon, and drink green tea may greatly reduce a man’s risk of developing prostate cancer, suggests research published the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition (Jian L, Lee AH, et al.)  In this case-control study involving 130 prostate cancer patients and 274 hospital controls, men drinking the most green tea were found to have an 86% reduced risk of prostate cancer compared, to those drinking the least.

A similar inverse association was found between the men’s consumption of lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya, and guava. Men who most frequently enjoyed these foods were 82% less likely to have prostate cancer compared to those consuming the least lycopene-rich foods.

Regular consumption of both green tea and foods rich in lycopene resulted in a synergistic protective effect, stronger than the protection afforded by either, the researchers also noted. (more…)

Oxygen is the basis of all plant and animal life. It is our most important nutrient, needed by every cell, without it we cannot release the energy in food which drives all body processes; Oxygen is chemically reactive and highly dangerous, in normal biochemical reactions oxygen can become unstable and capable of “oxidising neighbouring molecules”, leading to cellular damage, which triggers cancer, inflammation, arterial damage and aging;
Known as free oxidising radicals, this body waste must be disarmed to remove the danger; Free radicals are made in all combustion processes including smoking, the burning of petrol to create exhaust fumes, radiation, frying or barbecuing food and normal body processes;
Chemicals capable of disarming free radicals are called antioxidants. The main players are vitamins A, C and E plus beta-carotene, the precursor of vitamin A that is found in fruit and vegetables;
Bioflavonoids, anthocyanadins, pycnogenol and over a hundred other antioxidants, may literally be the balance between life and death;
A low calorie diet high in antioxidant nutrients is the best way to slow down the aging process; (more…)

If you have ever tasted a watermelon, it is probably no surprise to you why this juicy, refreshing fruit has this name. Watermelon has an extremely high water content, approximately 92%, giving its flesh a crumbly and subtly crunchy texture and making it a favorite thirst-quenching fruit.

As a member of the Cucurbitaceae family, the watermelon is related to the cantaloupe, squash and pumpkin, other plants that also grow on vines on the ground. Watermelons can be round, oblong or spherical in shape and feature thick green rinds that are often spotted or striped. They range in size from a few pounds to upward of ninety pounds.

While we often associate a deep red-pink color with watermelons, in fact there are varieties that feature orange, yellow, or white flesh. While most watermelons have seeds that are black, brown, white, green or yellow, a few varities are actually seedless.
The scientific name for watermelon is Citrullis lanatus. (more…)