How an Antioxidant-Rich Diet Can Improve Your Oral Health
We know that a well-balanced diet is crucial to overall health. But did you know diet is just as important for your teeth and gums? At our practice in Redwood City, CA, we believe that oral health is just one element of whole body wellbeing. An antioxidant-rich diet can reinforce health on a cellular level, making your teeth and gums more resilient to decay and disease. This simple lifestyle change is not only good for you, but adding a little variety to your diet can be delicious too.
All about Antioxidants
You have heard about antioxidants, but what are they exactly? By definition, antioxidants are molecules that impede the oxidation of other molecules. The chemical process of oxidation can result in free radicals, which are harmful to the body. Free radicals are produced through normal metabolic function. However, other chemicals and pollutants can produce an excess of free radicals, leading to issues such as cancer, blood vessel diseases, and gum disease. Antioxidants counteract this harmful process and restore your body to a more natural state by detoxifying the liver.
An Antioxidant-Rich Diet
How do you find foods that are rich in antioxidants? You’ve heard the phrase “eat the rainbow,” and this is a practical rule to follow since most antioxidant-rich foods are brightly colored. This includes things like spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, artichoke, kidney beans, pecans, dark chocolate, and several different types of berries, including blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, elderberries, and Goji berries. In fact, many berries contain resveratrol (the same antioxidant found in red wine), which is also known to deliver powerful health benefits.
Fresh herbs and spices can also pack a punch when it comes to antioxidants. For example, ginger, thyme, cinnamon, clove, basil, turmeric, cumin, and oregano are all high in antioxidants.
Finally, it is important to shop for organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices. Non-organic produce is typically farmed using modern techniques, which deplete much of the nutrients found in these foods.
Drink to Your Health
Aside from red wine, matcha tea also delivers powerful antioxidants. Matcha is a green tea that is made with powdered tea leaf. Rather than straining the tea, it is consumed whole and delivers highly concentrated doses of antioxidants to the body.
Can a Well-Balanced Diet be Enough?
Focusing on a diet rich in antioxidants is the primary step in cultivating whole body health. It is also a good idea to incorporate high-quality nutritional supplements into your daily routine. These vitamins and minerals can exponentially increase your body’s antioxidant supply and are a vital part of any healthcare regimen. As always, exercise is an important aspect of overall health, as well.
When it comes to taking care of your smile, an antioxidant-rich diet can provide unexpected benefits but it is also important to attend all regular dental examinations and cleanings. By doing so, our team can monitor your teeth and gums and identify any oral health problems early on. This will minimize the need for more extensive treatments in the future.
Learn More about Whole Body Health
The things we eat and drink have a direct effect on our bodies, for better or for worse. Making the right choices today can improve our overall health tomorrow. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, contact our office online.