Antioxidants Explained: What are They, What do They Do?

Antioxidants, it’s a buzz word that’s most commonly brought up when talking about inflammation—but what actually are antioxidants and how do they work? We’re sharing how antioxidants may be the secret weapon for slashing your risk of chronic disease. 

What is an Antioxidant?

Ok, so what exactly is an antioxidant? Antioxidants are found in many plant-based foods. These are called exogenous antioxidants. And, a little known fact about these free-radical scavengers is that they are also found in the body. These are called endogenous antioxidants. 

Their most important job is fighting free radicals from causing harm to your body. 

The Top Benefits of Antioxidants

Here’s why you may actually want to jump on board with upping your antioxidant intake. 

It really all has to do with free radicals. These pesky oxidative stress-inducing compounds are created in response to environmental pollution exposure, cigarette smoke, and inflammation. They can damage our cells, and put us at a greater risk of a whole slew of chronic diseases, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis, stroke, and even Parkinson’s. 

Scary, right? Well, this is where antioxidants come into play. By neutralizing those free radicals, you can say goodbye to oxidative stress and cause a positive domino effect by also lowering your risk of chronic disease. 

The 3 Best High Antioxidant Foods to Add to Your Diet 

Want in on some of the most antioxidant-rich foods you can add to your diet? Enjoying these regularly could prove to be one of the best acts of self-care you can do to help reduce your risk of disease. Plus, enjoying high antioxidant foods, means that you could be armoring your body with exactly what it needs to fend off those free radicals before they even have a chance to come in and wreak havoc on your overall health. 

Here are some antioxidant-rich foods to add to your diet and some hacks to help you enjoy them on the reg.

The bottom line—add a little raw cacao to your life. In fact, consider adding some Cacao Bliss to your diet to boost your body’s ability to fight off those harmful free radicals. It’s packed full of antioxidants and superfoods like turmeric to take your health to the next level. Make a Cacao Bliss hot chocolate, blend it into smoothies, or even add it to your favorite guilt-free sweet. Your tastebuds will thank you! 

Armor Your Body With The Antioxidants it Needs to Thrive

The bottom line is that while the body makes some antioxidants, with our everyday exposure to environmental pollution, everyone could use an antioxidant boost. 

So, go on and eat your chocolate (your Cacao Bliss that is), snack on berries, and get those greens in regularly. Your health today, tomorrow, and ten years down the road depend on it.