icon-account icon-glass

Join the community!

We'll keep you up to date with interesting news, product information and offers so you never miss out.

No boring newsletters and we'll never share your address. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Popular Products

The Lean Protein
Whey protein powder for weight-loss.
The Energy Booster
Pre/intra-workout powder with BCAAs.
The Glow Booster
Collagen supplement for skin.

From Vitamin C To Selenium: Antioxidants And Their Health Benefits

25th February 2022

25th February 2022

By Beth Shelper

We’ve all heard of fad diets, diet myths and detoxes such as juice cleanses, and if you’ve been around here for a while, you’ll know just how we feel about those. Spoiler alert: not fans. Not fans, at all.

(Remember that jaw clamp diet? Yeah? Never again).

Fad diets aren’t necessary, are harmful, and don’t promote a happy and healthy lifestyle. Not to mention, the foods we eat, and their nutrients provide us with much of the ‘detox’ that we require.

Not only that, but our body naturally produces antioxidants, too. But what are these antioxidants that we speak of, what foods are high in antioxidants, and what to antioxidants do?

All great questions.  Without further ado…

What are antioxidants?

This is where the science comes in. Common examples of antioxidants are Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Selenium, all of which are found in the foods we know and love. These antioxidants are actually small molecules that primarily fight something called free radicals, that are in our body.

What are free radicals?

Free radicals (to clear up any confusion), are compounds that are relatively harmless at low levels, but if they are in too high abundance in the body, can cause harm such as diabetes, heart disease, and even some types of cancer.

They’re constantly forming in your body (right this second, actually), and without keeping them under control, we’d get very ill… very quickly. You know the rest.

So… it goes without saying that its important to ensure that our levels of free radicals are kept at bay.

What causes excessive levels of free radicals?

Harmful lifestyle choices such as excessive drinking, smoking and air pollution can lead to excessive free radical levels, but also things such as bacterial infections, high blood sugar and too many antioxidants can lead to dangerous levels.

It’s all about balance.

What are the main antioxidant benefits?

Aside from reducing the risk of the above, antioxidants and their benefits are hugely powerful, and that’s why adding them to your diet (or increasing the amount in your diet) is as popular (and effective) as it is.

They’re great for your health: both mental and physical, and lead to an overall reduction in the risk of disease, an increase in immune system functioning and even things that you wouldn’t expect, such as an improvement in skin texture and appearance, a boost in energy and more.

These benefits include:

  • Fight free radicals
  • Reduce the risk of diseases
  • Increase mood and ultimately improve mental health
  • Protect body cells from damage
  • Reduce overall oxidative stress

How do antioxidants work?

Antioxidants work by neutralising said free radicals in the body, to stop the harmful impact of excessive levels. They’re pretty clever, and do this by essentially ‘giving up’ some of their own electrons, pretty much turning an off switch on the pesky free radicals and their harmful nature.

Natural and antioxidant supplementations

Antioxidants are an essential part of life, and for this reason can be found in many natural sources such as fruit and vegetables. Like we said, some great sources of antioxidants include Vitamin E (think nuts, seeds, root vegetables and spinach), and Vitamin C: citrus fruits, bell peppers, berries and potatoes.

Aside from getting these essential antioxidants through your diet, many people turn to antioxidant supplementations such as The Detox Booster to maintain healthy levels.

Designed to make life easier for you, The Detox Booster combines ten health-boosting ingredients to ensure that you’re getting everything you need, all in one. Neat, right?

Summary

Part of a healthy, balanced diet is ensuring that you are eating a diet that consist of all the major food groups, keeping hydrated, maintaining a good exercise schedule… and, oh, getting your antioxidants, too.

Luckily, antioxidant supplementations and a balanced diet will have you doing this without even realising. Sounds good to us!

Just another reason to take care of yourself, ey? As if we had to give you any more.

Need Expert Advice?

Other Insights

Gut Health Tests
Let's talk about gut health tests – you know, those trendy kits that promise to analyze the bacteria in your gut and give you ALL the answers. Seems like everywhere you turn these days, someone's pushing them on you, asking you to mail off your poo for a pricey test. I teamed up with one of Innermost's resident nutritionists, Sophie Gastman, to dig into the truth behind these tests First things first, what are gut health tests? Essentially, they’re marketed as a way to assess the balance of bacteria in your gut. All you have to do is collect a stool sample, ship it off, and wait for your results to roll in. Companies who offer these tests will most likely offer to sell you a ‘'personalised’' probiotic or prebiotic based on your results, along with some ‘'personalised'’ (but what definitely looks like generic) dietary and lifestyle recommendations. It all sounds simple enough, but here's where things get murky. Sophie has been looking into the validity of these tests, and she’s a bit skeptical.  "HERE'S WHY" Accuracy: These tests only give you a snapshot of your gut microbiome at one point in time. Your gut bacteria can change in as little as 24 hours based on what you eat and how you live, so by the time you get your results, they might already be outdated. Plus, different methods to study the same samples can also give wildly different results. So, if you sent your sample off to two different companies, one might say you have a lot of one type of bacteria, while the other says it’s barely there. Lack of Evidence: Despite years of research, we're still in the dark about which gut microbes are linked to specific health outcomes. So, any test claiming to have all the answers is just too good to be true. For example, scientific studies suggest that knowing what’s in your gut might not actually help with understanding or treating diseases like IBS. Lack of Actionable Insights: Even if these tests could accurately assess your gut, the recommendations they provide are often based on shaky science. Plus, they're so complex that even the experts struggle to make sense of them. Lack of Knowledge: Let's face it, most of us aren't microbiologists. So when these tests dump a ton of complicated info in our laps, it's more likely to leave us scratching our heads than feeling empowered. To make matters worse, these tests can cost a lot of money. We think rather than blowing your hard-earned cash on a gut health test, why not focus on some tried-and-true strategies to support your gut? Cue Sophie with her top six tips to better gut health Diet: Fill your plate with a rainbow of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and legumes to keep your gut happy. Aim for 30 plant points a week (a point for every new plant you eat) - this number seems to be the sweet spot for making the most difference to your gut health. Chill: Stress can wreak havoc on your gut, so find ways to unwind, whether it's through meditation, exercise, or just shooting the breeze with a friend. Hydrate: Keep the water flowing to keep things moving smoothly in your digestive system. Sleep: A good night's sleep does wonders for your gut, so aim for 7-9 hours of shut-eye each night. Ferment: Add some fermented foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut to your diet for a boost of gut-friendly probiotics. Supplement: Innermost's The Digest Capsules contain prebiotics and probiotics to keep your gut bacteria thriving, along with digestive enzymes and ginger. Combine them with all the points mentioned above to help your gut bacteria thrive. So there you have it – supporting your gut health doesn't have to be complicated or break the bank. Just focus on the basics and make some small lifestyle tweaks, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier gut for a fraction of the price, and without the need to mail your poo off to some complete stranger. Read more
The Real Deal on Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGMs)
Imagine a gadget that gives you real-time insights into how your body reacts to every meal, promising to boost your athletic performance and improve your eating habits. Sounds amazing, right? But is there enough scientific research to back these claims? I recently sat down with one of Innermost's resident nutritionists, Isabelle Spellissy, to cut through the hype and see what CGMs are really all about and what they’ve actually been proven to achieve.  "What Are CGMs?" Continuous Glucose Monitors track your blood sugar levels around the clock. They use a small sensor typically attached to your arm, and allow you to check your glucose levels on your phone. This tech provides info on how your glucose levels fluctuate based on what you eat, your exercise routines, stress, and sleep patterns.For diabetics, CGMs are a game-changer, helping them maintain their glucose levels within a target range and improving their health outcomes. But now, manufacturers are marketing CGMs to everyone, not just diabetics, with promises of optimising blood sugar for peak physical and mental performance. This trend, pushed by personalised nutrition companies, has sparked a surge in interest from non-diabetics who are eager to try them out. "The Promises of CGMs" For those without diabetes, CGMs are touted with several shiny benefits, all aimed at boosting health, wellness, and performance: Metabolic Health Monitoring: Get a grip on how food, exercise, and lifestyle choices impact your glucose levels. Nutritional Guidance: See how different foods affect you, helping you choose meals that keep your blood sugar stable. Stress and Sleep Insights: Understand how stress and sleep affect your glucose levels, helping you manage both better. Early Detection of Insulin Sensitivity Issues: Spot early signs of insulin resistance or prediabetes, giving you a chance to make changes before it’s too late. "The Reality Check" While CGMs sound amazing, there are some serious caveats: Cost: These devices aren’t cheap, and if you’re not diabetic, insurance probably won’t cover them. Lack of Clinical Guidelines: No clear or established guidelines exist for non-diabetics using CGMs, which can lead to confusion and misinterpretation. Psychological Impact: Constant monitoring can make you anxious and might lead to obsessive behaviors and excessive self-monitoring. Overemphasis on Glucose Levels: Fixating on glucose can distract from other important health factors like overall nutrition, fitness, and mental well-being. Potential for Misuse: Misreading the data can lead to unhealthy eating habits or extreme diets based on short-term glucose responses. Limited Proven Benefits: The clinical benefits of CGMs are still being studied, with research currently indicating that there isn’t enough evidence to support significant health benefits.  "What Can You Do?" Instead of parting with your hard earned cash and jumping on the CGM bandwagon, here are some proven alternative strategies to boost your health: Dietary Modifications: Eat whole, nutrient-rich foods. Balance your meals with carbs, proteins, and fats to maintain steady energy levels. Meal Routine and Portion Control: Stick to a meal schedule and watch your portion sizes to avoid energy crashes. Keep Tracking: Use a food journal or app to track what you eat and how it affects you. This can help to make informed choices about your food intake and adjust as needed. Regular Exercise: Mix in cardio, strength training, and flexibility exercises to improve your fitness and mood. Gut Health: Eat fiber-rich and fermented foods to support your gut. Consider prebiotics and probiotics for an extra boost. Feel free to check out The Digest Capsules. Hydration: Drink plenty of water. Proper hydration is essential for overall health, energy levels, cognitive function, and athletic performance. We’ve got something coming soon that could help with that. Watch this space. By focusing on these holistic lifestyle changes, you can enhance your diet, performance, gut health, mood, and stress levels without needing a CGM. To wrap it up, the buzz around CGMs for non-diabetics is growing, and we might see more benefits and guidelines with further research. But for now, if you’re living a healthy lifestyle, you probably don’t need one of these gadgets. Some people are excited about their potential, but it’s best to approach CGMs cautiously and consult healthcare professionals to make sure you’re using them safely and effectively. Stay smart and keep it simple. References: Beck, R. W., Riddlesworth, T., Ruedy, K., Ahmann, A., Haller, S., Kruger, D. F., ... & Bergenstal, R. M. (2017). Continuous glucose monitoring versus usual care in patients with type 2 diabetes receiving multiple daily insulin injections: a randomized trial. Annals of Internal Medicine, 167(6), 365-374. Basu, A., Dube, S., & Basu, R. (2019). Continuous glucose monitoring: a powerful tool for the non-diabetic population. Expert Review of Medical Devices, 16(11), 903-913. Pettus, J. H., Edelman, S. V., & Price, D. A. (2020). How Patients with Type 1 Diabetes Use Continuous Glucose Monitoring Data and Make Insulin Dosing Decisions. Endocrine Practice, 26(6), 625-630. Read more