Benefits of Juicing
Anti-oxidants are a nutritional buzz word. What does it mean?
A free radical is highly reactive compound. Basically a molecule missing an electron in its outer shell. Recall chemistry class, and that this molecule will aggressively looks to take an electron from another molecule. The process of damaging other molecules is called oxidation, as oxygen is a notorious free radical. Think over water and how the oxygen binds two hydrogen atoms. So, if you ingest free radicals (and you do) they oxidize tissues and organs.
Anti-oxidants are molecules that willing give up electrons. Thus if you combine free radicals and anti-oxidants, they will neutralize each other. So, if you consume anti-oxidants they can eliminate free radicals.
Plants have developed especially strong anti-oxidants. This is because plants breathe carbon dioxide and exhale oxygen. Thus oxygen is a byproduct and plants evolved methods of neutralizing it.
Consuming fruits and vegetables containing anti-oxidants will prevent free radical damage. Experts believe free radical damage may be the reason we age.