If your preferred way to ingest antioxidants is in a pill, you might want to consider going straight for the original food source, according to the National Institutes of Health. Scientists have been promoting antioxidants as a way to protect against free radical damage and prevent cancer. But recent studies have found that separating them from their natural context (fruits, veggies, nuts) pretty much zaps their usefulness.
Put down the capsules and pick up the seeds: Antioxidants work best in their natural setting.
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Supplements like beta carotene, vitamin E and coenzyme Q10 have shown positive results only in the test tube—once they’re in a human body, little to no health perks have been noted. Even worse, some studies, like the one conducted by the National Cancer Institute, suggest that taking the supplements can actually increase the risk of disease.
But studies and trials often report that people who have veggie- and fruit-rich diets seem to be avoiding cancer and heart disease. Current theories point to slower digestion time of foods as opposed to pills and the relationship between antioxidants and other nutrients in the food.—K.C.
