Antioxidant supplements are known for their cancer fighting properties, but in a recent study, researchers found strong evidence to suggest that these unique molecules may actually promote the spread of certain cancer cells, “a finding that could change the way doctors advise cancer patients to eat”, Medical Daily reported.
A team of researchers from the Children’s Research Institute at UT Southwestern gave antioxidants to mice that had been transplanted with melanoma cells from cancer patients. The team observed that cancer spread faster in mice that were administered antioxidants than it did in mice that were not.
The most crucial antioxidants are Vitamin A, C, E, trace minerals like zinc, selenium, chromium, copper and manganese.
The most crucial antioxidants are Vitamin A, C, E, trace minerals like zinc, selenium, chromium, copper and manganese.
#1 Amla
The authors of a recent study in the Journal of Food Science, published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), discovered that gooseberry skin and pulp contained higher antioxidant activity than other berries such as blueberries and cranberries.
Gooseberries contains high levels of phytochemicals, which have been reported in several studies to prevent oxidative stress that can cause cancer and heart disease. Gooseberry skin could potentially be a source of natural colorants and antioxidants for use in food manufacturing.
#2 Cinnamon
Studies suggest that cinnamon may help with increasing insulin sensitivity, lowering cholesterol levels, reducing inflammation and slowing down cancerous tumour growth. Cinnamon boosts immunity, aids weight loss and contains a ton of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
#3 Chillies
Capsaicin, the primary component in chilli peppers, stifles the growth of prostate cancer cells. It could also prevent the shrinking of cancerous tumours.
#4 Haldi
It has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a highly effective medicinal spice. It destroys the blood vessels that feed cancerous tumours, cutting off the blood supply to cancerous cells.
#5 Ginger
Ginger is a powerful antioxidant spice that helps with the treatment of everything from cold to Alzheimer’s disease. Research also suggests that ginger has cancer-preventive potential.
Healthy Antioxidant Juice Recipe
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Makes 4 glasses
Ingredients
• 4 medium sized apples, roughly chopped
• 2 cups of black grapes
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup chopped beetroot
• 1 cup crushed ice
• 4 medium sized apples, roughly chopped
• 2 cups of black grapes
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2 cup chopped beetroot
• 1 cup crushed ice
Method
• Combine all the ingredients together and blend in a mixer till smooth.
• Strain the juice using a strainer and pour into four individual glasses.
• Serve immediately.
Handy tips
• Use fresh and ripe strawberries to avoid the use of sugar in this juice.
• When kiwis are in season, replace the strawberries with a cup of chopped kiwis and enjoy an equally great Vitamin C-rich drink.
• Combine all the ingredients together and blend in a mixer till smooth.
• Strain the juice using a strainer and pour into four individual glasses.
• Serve immediately.
Handy tips
• Use fresh and ripe strawberries to avoid the use of sugar in this juice.
• When kiwis are in season, replace the strawberries with a cup of chopped kiwis and enjoy an equally great Vitamin C-rich drink.
*Image courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Getty Images
*Recipe courtesy: Antioxidant Boost, tarladalal.com
*Also read: Importance Of Antioxidants For Disease Prevention
*Reference: Wiley Online Library
*Recipe courtesy: Antioxidant Boost, tarladalal.com
*Also read: Importance Of Antioxidants For Disease Prevention
*Reference: Wiley Online Library