There`s a lot of hype around this particular group of compounds found in food. They are known to fight diseases, aging and improve memory. What are these miracle compounds? What do they do and why are they so important to us?

Yes, we are talking about antioxidants, found in foods, primarily in fruits and vegetables.

What are antioxidants?

Antioxidants are substances that protect the cells in your body from the damaging effects of oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical process that takes place in your body. This chemical process doubles up when you are stressed or take to smoking and alcohol. When the natural oxidation process gets disrupted, potentially damaging molecules called free radicals are created. These chemicals are created by oxygen and if left uncontrolled may damage all the cells your body. Here`s an example: Have you noticed how a cut apple turns brown? It`s a chemical reaction and free radicals work in a similar manner.

This oxidative damage can cause several diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, damage nerve cells leading to Alzheimer`s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, muscle and tissue degeneration.

Importance of antioxidants

Health experts opine that a diet rich in antioxidants helps reduce degenerative diseases like heart diseases.

Though antioxidants are available in a variety of foods, keeping in the mind the amount of edible oil we consume, picking cooking oil high in antioxidant power would be an excellent way to prevent heart diseases.

Cooking oil and your heart

We`ve all been told time and again that a low-fat diet is the key to losing weight, managing cholesterol and preventing heart diseases. Thus, it is essential that you choose the right kind of oil for maximum antioxidant powers to minimise the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

Antioxidants are specifically beneficial as oil in our kitchens is heated at high temperatures. Cooking oil to smoking point leads to release of free radicals which in turn causes deterioration of the oil. The advantage of picking an oil rich in antioxidants is that it prevents this damage.

The antioxidant-fortified oil helps in maintain the on-shelf quality and also prevents the formation of free radicals.
 
In fact, blending oils fortified in antioxidants is said to be more effective as they packed with the goodness of two oils, giving your body the benefits of a broader range of antioxidants.

Saffola Total oil

Saffola Total, a new brand of oil from the house of Saffola. Saffola Total comes with fortified antioxidants which makes it a good option for your family. Saffola Total has two times the antioxidant power compared to even olive oil.

An added advantage of Saffola Total is its Losorb technology which has up to 10 % lower absorption capacity compared to other oils.

While Saffola Total has high antioxidant potential, it has various other benefits which work at three ends. While frying it is important to make sure that the undesirable/ harmful components are reduced to the best and the antioxidants in Saffola Total help do just that.

When storing oil at home or on the shelf, the free radicals in the air cause the oil to deteriorate. The role of antioxidants is to help prevent this and result in a better quality product for you and your family.

Antioxidants scavenge free radicals in your body and help you lead a healthier lifestyle. Saffola Total, with its unique benefits helps you achieve just that.

Remember, your body needs a variety of antioxidants and most of them are found in foods close to you. Make sure you choose your foods wisely and prevent the damage these free radicals may wreck on your cells.

BDST: 1340 HRS, APR-21, 2014