What are antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in the body. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you're exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation.

Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in your body. They can cause multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer among others.

Your body generates its own antioxidants, such as the cellular and glutathione while come from the plant’s fruits or vegetables and foods we eat.

Examples of antioxidants that come from outside the body include:

• Vitamin A
• vitamin C
• vitamin E
• Beta-carotene
• lycopene
• lutein
• Selenium
• manganese
• zeaxanthin

What are the benefits of antioxidants?

 Antioxidants help combat free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules in the body that result from both natural processes and environmental pressures.

The body can remove free radicals, but if too many build up, they can damage or change cells in the body.

These changes can contribute to the development of many diseases and conditions, such as atherosclerosis.

Antioxidants can help remove free radicals, and tea is one source of antioxidants which their effects, constitute up to 30% of the dry weight of tea.

The antioxidants in tea are different from those in green tea, due to the oxidation process.

Antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E and carotenoids, may help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. Other naturally occurring antioxidants include flavonoids, tannins, phenols and lignans. Plant-based foods are the best sources. These include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, herbs and spices, and even cocoa.

Teas with antioxidants

 Lemon Balm Tea: The leaves are used to make medicine and cure digestive problems, stomach upset, menstrual cramps, toothache and headache among others.

Peppermint Tea:  contains nutrients such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, and Vitamins such as A & C that help with problems pertaining to sleep such as insomnia, or lack of sleep.

Chamomile Tea: The antioxidants in chamomile play a vital role in people lacking of sleep and is a good digestion medicine.

Ginger Tea: A spicy flavored drink that has disease-fighting antioxidants that fight inflammation and strengthen your immune system.

Hibiscus Tea: Rich in Vitamin C, minerals, antioxidants that help with anxiety, high cholesterol, and indigestion

Butterfly pea flower: The tea is rich in antioxidants, which makes it a great beverage to include in your detox diet. Antioxidants protect the body against free radical action.