Fight the effects of fast food with natural antioxidants
As much as someone tries to avoid fast food, today’s fast pace of life makes fast food restaurants an easy and convenient option for takeout. Here are some recommendations on some foods and supplements you can use to combat an occasional fast food splurge.
Are you in the mood for fried chicken? Fight Fat with Red Wine Resveratrol
When you eat a high-fat meal like fried chicken or a mayonnaise-laden burger, you’re flooding your system with triglycerides and slowing circulation. Consuming foods rich in resveratrol, such as red grapes or red wine, might help you prevent some of the negative effects. Resveratrol prevents the formation of bad cholesterol and can be obtained in supplement form without the calories and sugar of red wine or grapes. In addition, Coenzyme Q10, a naturally occurring coenzyme in our bodies, can help prevent the oxidation of bad cholesterol, which is the cause of artery-clogging plaque, also known as atherosclerosis.
Fight Nitrates in Hot Dogs and Pepperoni
Do you enjoy your hot dog with sauerkraut? Well, you could apply yourself a little more next time. Researchers have identified compounds in the sour topping, made from fermented cabbage, that may fight cancer. In animal studies, the compounds appear to prevent the growth of cancer, particularly in the breast, colon, lung, and liver. Hot dogs contain nitrites, which are used as preservatives. During the cooking process, nitrites combine with amines naturally present in meat to form the carcinogenic N-nitroso compound. These compounds are known carcinogens and have been associated with cancer of the oral cavity, urinary bladder, esophagus, stomach, and brain.
Deserve salty pretzels and chips? Add some dark chocolate!
Salty foods are high in sodium, which can raise your blood pressure almost immediately. A few squares of dark chocolate (60% cocoa or higher) can help lower blood pressure in as little as two hours. Dark chocolate is rich in a type of antioxidant bioflavonoid called flavanols that helps maintain healthy blood flow and blood pressure. The heart-healthy flavanols in cocoa, especially the epicatechins, prevent fatty substances in your bloodstream from oxidizing and then clogging your arteries. Flavanols help make blood platelets less likely to stick together and cause blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes.
Load carbs? Antioxidant herbs and vegetables to the rescue!
When carbohydrate-rich foods like pizza, rice or pasta are heated above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, they release harmful chemicals that have been linked to increased risk of cancer and heart disease. High carbohydrate intake can also cause a spike in blood sugar levels. To reduce these ill effects, add antioxidant-rich fresh herbs to your carbohydrate-based meal, such as rosemary, oregano, parsley, basil, sage, thyme, marjoram, tarragon, mint, oregano, savory, and dill. Best of all, these herbs are common seasonings for these dishes and complement them quite well. Some antioxidant-rich vegetables that often accompany these meals include artichokes, cabbage, broccoli, asparagus, olives, and spinach. A tablespoon of vinegar on your salad can also help slow digestion and help prevent the spikes and valleys in glucose that can prompt overeating.
Double cheeseburger in your future? Fight back with fruits and supplements
Eating a high-fat fast food hamburger can unleash a host of cell-damaging free radicals. Free radical damage within cells has been linked to a variety of disorders including cancer, arthritis, atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Antioxidant fruits like berries, cherries, citrus, and kiwis provide the system with antioxidants to fight damage. However, dietary supplements tend to provide higher concentrations of the best antioxidant compounds, such as vitamin C, resveratrol, melatonin, and glutathione.