Antioxidant Vitamins
The antioxidant power of vitamins E and C, as other substances that give color and flavor to fruits and vegetables such as flavonoids, polyphenols, carotenoids, carotenes (the latter two are converted in the body in provitamin A) have demonstrated a important role in preventing cardiovascular disease, cancer and aging.
Today we know that the aging process and the emergence of some diseases, is due to the effect of “free radicals”. That is, certain particles oxidizing our cells. They have a useful role for our body to fight off bacteria, but in return are responsible for the hardening of our arteries (atherosclerosis). We can fight free radicals using a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, olive oil and red wine in moderation. They play a vital role in cleansing and detoxifying free radicals.
More than half of the vitamin A and almost all the vitamin C we need to provide fruit. Many vegetables also contain vitamin C but not part of cooking them destroys this vitamin, hence the importance of eating fruit or raw vegetables. Remember that vitamin C increases the absorption of iron, calcium and phosphorus