How do Antioxidants Impact Inflammation?
Are you wondering how antioxidant impact inflammation in the body, or what that even means? Leslie Bonci, RDN is here to help.
By: Leslie Bonci, MPH, RDN, CSSD, LDN
When it comes to overall health and wellness, free radicals, antioxidants, and inflammation are important factors worth addressing. Free radicals are molecules that our bodies release naturally. They are a byproduct of our metabolisms and are also formed when we are exposed to environmental stressors, such as cigarette smoke, pesticides, or other chemicals. When our bodies do not have enough antioxidants to balance out these free radicals, our bodies experience oxidative stress. Oxidative stress can contribute to the development of chronic inflammation or chronic diseases, which can ultimately affect our quality of life.
Antioxidants help us control inflammation in our bodies.
As such, it is important that we include a healthy serving of antioxidants in our diets. Antioxidants are substances that remove free radicals in our bodies and help us control the inflammation our bodies experience.
Antioxidants include Vitamins C and E, carotenoids (such as beta-carotene), lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and selenium.
Polyphenols – a nutrient found in plants – also exhibit antioxidant effects.
Fruits – such as California Prunes – are concentrated in these types of nutrients and therefore carry the critical anti-inflammatory benefit that our bodies need.
Create a healthy, healing plate:
Creating a healing plate that includes California Prunes can help you optimize your ongoing health and wellness as you move through life. Try some of our recipes or find interesting and creative ways to add California Prunes to your meals and snacks!
Leslie Bonci, MS, RD, CSSD, Sports Dietitian
Leslie Bonci, MS, RD, CSSD and Sports Dietitian for Super Bowl Champions the Kansas City Chiefs, shares recipes, lifestyle and healthy eating advice to help consumers build a healthy self.
When you’re ready to get cooking, check out our recipes!
Inflammation-fighting prune recipes:
Pearled Couscous Salad with Lemon-Garlic Dressing
Pearled couscous, arugula, carrots, chopped prunes, and walnuts combine with a tangy dressing in this filling salad recipe from Cara Harbstreet, RD. Enjoy as a side salad or main dish!
Carrot Cake Muffins
Annessa Chumbley, RD says her recipe for Carrot Cake Muffins will blow you away. They are full of flavor AND nutrition. And the fact that they can be frozen for a future easy breakfast on-the-go or snack is a HUGE win.
Traditional Ukrainian Borscht
This traditional Creamy Ukrainian Borscht recipe from Jaíne Mackievicz, winner of the Food Network’s Julia Child Challenge, pays homage to her grandmother Rosa, who served the soup often. Rosa’s not-so-secret ingredient for getting depth of flavor in this vegetarian borscht recipe was a handful of prunes – and that’s just how Jaíne makes the soup as well. Try her Arroz de Festa too!