Unhealthy diet, air pollution and wrong lifestyle habits (in general, unhealthy lifestyle) all increase the risk of various diseases, including cardiovascular problems, cancer and other causes of death. Oxidative stress is one of the main factors in the development and progression of these diseases. You have probably also wondered what oxidative stress means. In chemistry, oxidation is a reaction in which electrons are exchanged, the result of which is a state similar to rusting of iron. Numerous chemical chain reactions also occur inside the human body, causing the production of dangerous by-products called free radicals. Free radicals are atoms or molecules that circulate in the body due to having a single electron and damage the macromolecules of the body of living organisms such as lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, etc.
Antioxidants are molecules that exist in cells and prevent these reactions by donating electrons to free radicals without causing instability in themselves. The imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants is the basic basis for the development of oxidative stress. In other words, oxidative stress is the victory of free radicals over our body’s antioxidant defenses and is called a biological attack on the body. Studies have shown that oxidative stress is the cause of more than a hundred types of diseases. Therefore, our body needs antioxidants to combat these free radicals that are constantly produced in the body, which must be provided through the diet. For this reason, it is better to include foods containing antioxidants in our daily diet.
Health Benefits of Antioxidants
- Skin Health
One of the well-known benefits of antioxidants is protecting skin health. Preventing sunburn from ultraviolet rays, preventing premature skin aging, and developing skin cancer are among the benefits of consuming foods containing antioxidants.
Pollutants in the air, chemicals, and smoking are also other things that intensify the activity of free radicals and overshadow the skin’s collagen production process. In addition to combating the activity of free radicals, antioxidants also make the skin more radiant and reduce skin inflammation.
- Reducing the risk of cancer and chronic diseases
Our body oxidizes just like metals, although the oxidation process is vital for the body, an imbalance in this process causes oxidative stress. Oxidative stress reduces the body’s immunity and causes the spread of cancer cells and the occurrence of various types of cancer. In fact, oxidative stress, by damaging DNA, or the genetic information of the cell, causes gene mutations and ultimately increases the risk of cancer. Other chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, lung diseases, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune diseases are other cases that occur due to oxidative stress. As we mentioned earlier, consuming foods containing antioxidants prevents the spread of cancer cells and weakens and prevents the growth of cancer cells in new tissues.
Foods containing antioxidants include red grapes, dark chocolate, green tea, cabbage, colored peppers, and tomatoes. In addition, sesame and sesame oil, with their high levels of vitamin E, phytosterol, and a unique antioxidant called sesamol, can protect the body as an important source of antioxidants.
Oghab Halva Company has been producing sesame and sesame-based products in accordance with the latest global standards for many years. Experienced and skilled personnel, state-of-the-art equipment, and scientific and principled management have made it possible to utilize the natural properties of sesame in the form of healthy and diverse products including halva, tahini, sesame sauce, sesame cream, sesame bar, sesame, and sesame oil for a wide range of people with different tastes and needs. Oghab Group hopes to play a role in improving the health of society by increasing people’s knowledge about important and important nutritional issues.