Antioxidants are active molecules that prevent cell degradation. They are essential for practising sport in good conditions, because they enable the body to maintain a good state of health despite the difficulties that may be associated with exercise.

Find out in this article how important antioxidants are for athletes, and how to get enough of them, bearing in mind that nutrition and health are linked.

The importance of antioxidants for athletes

Oxidative stress and free radicals

Antioxidants help combat oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is the production of free radicals in response to various stress factors. There are many stress factors, including smoking, sun exposure, pollution and excessive physical exercise. Overtraining, in particular, can act as a form of internal aggression, triggering the release of free radicals that in turn attack the body's own cells.

Free radicals are necessary for good health, but when they are produced in excess, they can disrupt the body's physiological functions. Free radicals damage proteins, fatty acids, DNA and other molecules essential to cellular life.

When excessive, this mechanism acts as an internal assault and can weaken the body of sportsmen and women at various levels. This may manifest as recurrent injuries, muscle weakness, digestive problems and so on.

The role of antioxidants

Antioxidants act as shields against free radicals, forming a natural defense system by neutralizing them before they can reach their targets, thus stopping their harmful action.

It's important to give the body a boost when the production of free radicals is repeated or intensified.

Antioxidants, for example, help to: reduce inflammation in muscles and joints, lower the risk of injuries, and help prevent the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, among others...

Optimizing antioxidant intake

Natural Solutions

There are several natural solutions for ensuring a sufficient supply of antioxidants when exercising regularly:

In addition to the natural antioxidants produced by the human body called lipoate and glutathione.

Other antioxidants are available in significant quantities in many foods, especially fruits and vegetables. Among the most antioxidant fruits are blueberries and pomegranates, but above all, acai. That's what justifies its classification as a true "superfood"

Acai berry, an antioxidant-rich ally 

The acai berry contains an exceptional level of antioxidants: 3.29g/100g of polyphenols! More precisely, these are anthocyanins (a type of flavonoid), responsible for its beautiful dark purple pigmentation. Antioxidants in food act like anti-rust agents for our cells, helping to prevent tissue oxidation (hence the name). The açaí berry has a very high antioxidant potential, with an ORAC score of 11,000 umol TE/100g, 10 times more than cranberries.

ORAC or "Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity" is a scientific index that measures a food's antioxidant content and its ability to fight free radicals. The higher the ORAC value, the more protective the food!

Antioxidants, essential for athletes, are found in foods such as açaí. By incorporating these superfoods into their diet, athletes can optimize both their health and performance. 

Now, if you're an athlete looking to stay healthy and perform at your best, you know what to do !