What are Antioxidants?
Why Does Everyone Promote Antioxidants?
“Full of antioxidants” appears almost everywhere these days. Wine, chocolate, vegetables and fruits all
boast their antioxidant levels. But what are antioxidants? How do they help our bodies? What is all the
hype really about?
According to the Harvard School of Public Health, antioxidant does not refer to an object but a chemical
state. Antioxidants are vitamins, minerals and proteins found in certain foods that have a specific atomic
form to help combat free radicals (another common term).
Antioxidants Fight The Damage of Free Radicals
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are unstable molecules naturally formed during digestion. More often, the media and health blogs talk about the free radicals created from environmental factors –- smoke, pollution, sunlight, etc. Free radicals have the potential to damage cells in our bodies. They cause this damage by stealing an electron (a component of an atom), leaving the cell unbalanced.
In stealing an electron, a new free radical is formed that needs to take another electron, causing a chain reaction (i.e., each atom, now short an electron, steals an electron from another atom). This cellular damage is believed to possibly lead to some chronic diseases, although lab tests do not form a strong conclusion.
We can see the effects of free radical damage, also known as oxidation, all around us. Apples and bananas turn brown due to free radicals.
Antioxidants help prevent and fight the free radical damage by “donating” an electron. Through this chemical process of exchanging electrons, antioxidants prevent the theft of a needed part of our bodies’ cells.
The Color of Antioxidants
In 2012, the USDA measured the oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) of different foods. This test
examines antioxidant abilities. Among berries, the elderberry measured as one of the highest in
antioxidant power.
Two classes of antioxidants – flavonols and anthocyanidins – refer to the color of a plant. It is, in part, the chemical structure of a plant’s coloring that gives it antioxidant abilities. Elderberries, for example, contain high levels of anthocyanidins that make the berry its dark purple color in addition to being an antioxidant.
Flavonols, related to the Latin word for yellow flavus, connects to the chemical structure that makes plants
yellow and orange. For those more scientifically minded, refer to this USDA document on the flavonol and anthocyanidin levels of different foods.
To learn more, read...
National Library of Medicine's "Antioxidants"
Harvard School of Public Health "Antioxidants: Beyond the Hype"
There are some foods and herbs that are best consumed as a supplement for a variety of reasons. The elderberry is one of these foods. The elderberry's tiny seed contains a cyanide-like chemical called cyogenic glycoside. This makes it unsafe to eat elderberries that have not been either deseeded (a painstaking process) or cooked. Also, elderberries have diuretic and laxative properties that, when eaten raw and in large quantities, can cause gastrointestinal discomfort.
Norm’s Farms offers prepared elderberry products and supplements so the berry’s antioxidant qualities
can be consumed and enjoyed. Our extract, produced through an all-natural water bath process, has no
added ingredients except for a small amount of malic acid (made from apples!) so that we can bottle it. The purity of the Norm’s Farms extract makes it the closest one can get to raw elderberries and their antioxidant benefits -- and because we have removed the seeds for you, it's even better than ever.
Free Radicals?
Fight back with antioxidants.
Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress: Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells and tissues, contributing to various diseases and aging. Oxidative stress occurs when there's an imbalance between free radical production and the body's ability to neutralize them.
Elderberry's Antioxidants: Elderberry contains potent antioxidants like polyphenols and anthocyanins, which have antiradical activity. These compounds can helpneutralize free radicals and reduce the damage they cause.
Benefits of Elderberry Juice: By consuming elderberry juice, you can potentially increase your antioxidant intake and help your body combat oxidative stress, reducing the risk of various health issues. (Find our recipe here.)
Other Potential Benefits: In addition to fighting free radicals, elderberry juice also offers other potential benefits like boosting immune function and providing a good source of nutrients.
Research Support: Studies haves hown that elderberry juice is effective in neutralizing free radicals and protecting against lipid peroxidation.
We would love to stay in touch!
Please take a moment and sign up for our Newsletter.
Links
Services
Contact
We love to hear from our customers, natural health enthusiasts and fellow elderberry farmers!
417-522-1375
Newsletter
Subscribe for farm & store updates , tips & discounts.
Copyright © 2025, Norm's Farms