Benefits of antioxidants questioned
Researcher is looking into how plant-based phytochemicals, including antioxidants and herbal supplements, can be useful in the promotion of health and prevention of chronic diseases. The amount spent on foods high in antioxidant – for example, fruit juices, beverages and grain-based products each year has increased drastically.
Antioxidants can be important to health however, the benefits of antioxidants in other mechanisms, including the prevention of chronic inflammation and interaction with intracellular mechanisms are not clear.
The mechanisms, which appear to include antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of these phytochemicals were not clearly known. Phytochemicals, also called secondary plant compounds – including antioxidants – have been defined as chemicals found in plants that have protective or disease-fighting properties.
The researcher has the following doubting questions about the benefits of antioxidants. Are they safe? Are they efficient? How much is required? And how much is too much? The researcher wants to find out more about the safety and efficacy of phytochemical dietary supplements. The recommended dosage and safety on antioxidants is still to be found.
The researcher has focused her studies on pomegranate juice and extracts as these are ingredients found in many different food products in supermarkets. She has also done research on the properties of muscadine grapes and acai, a palm fruit from , as well as isolated compounds including quercetin and ellagic acid, which are also sold as dietary supplements.
A study seemed to find that antioxidants – especially vitamins A and E – don’t have the beneficial properties they are thought to have and may even increase mortality. The performed statistical analysis indicated that vitamin A and E and beta-caraotene may increase mortality in some of the selected studies.
In respond, the researcher said that the study looked at synthetic antioxidants, which are not the same compounds. She pointed out that there would not be a problem with the intake of reasonable amounts of standardized high-quality antioxidant dietary supplements. The researcher said that it is her long-term goal to see science-based intake recommendations developed for those herbal plant compounds which have a proven potential in the promotion of health and prevention of chronic disease.
Source: Pros And Cons Of Antioxidants From Fruits And Vegetables
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