What are Antioxidant Supplements?

Many people know that there are many health benefits to eating foods high in antioxidants. Medical research has shown that people who regularly eat foods high in antioxidants have a lower rate of developing cancers and certain kinds of ailments that are the result of stress-induced oxidation. Many people, in order to make sure that they are regularly consuming antioxidants, take antioxidant supplements.

Antioxidant supplements are usually made from anti-oxidant rich foods, including foods that come from plants. It is very common for antioxidant supplements to be made with goji berries and blueberries, which are two of the fruits that are very high in antioxidants. Pomegranates and cranberries are also high in antioxidants and are often used in the formulation of supplements. Some antioxidant supplements claim to have concentrated amounts of antioxidants that cannot possibly be ingested through diet alone.

Many antioxidant supplements come in the form of a pill or capsule. Other supplements come in juice form. By taking the juice of fruits, such as the ones listed above, and removing the pulp, the antioxidants available in the fruits are concentrated. Although this is not a traditional kind of pill-based supplement, many people do use these sorts of juices as a way to boost their antioxidant intake. The only drawback to these juices is that they remove the fiber present in the fruits, which also has a number of positive health benefits for the digestive system.

It is important to remember that antioxidant supplements are not regulated and tested in the way that medications are, so it can be difficult to assess their efficacy. Some doctors believe that it is not possible to pack into a pill the benefits of eating the nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. On the other hand, there are many people who take antioxidant supplements on a daily basis and swear that the pills help to keep them healthy and well.

Before beginning a course of antioxidant supplements, it is best to speak with a doctor. This is because there is a small chance that the supplements might negatively interact with any present medications or conditions. Furthermore, speaking with a doctor about these supplements is a great way to get a professional opinion about their efficacy and they ways in which they may or may not be able to improve upon one's health and general wellness.