Anti-aging with antioxidants
 
Here is a fun and simple experiment you should try: Take a fresh apple and slice it in half. On one of the halves, smear lemon juice over the cut surface. Now leave both halves out on a table for 1 hour then check on them. What you will see is that the apple half that was untreated has now turned brown and unappealing, whereas the half you treated with lemon juice is still fresh and delicious.
 
What you see is antioxidants in action.
 
The lemon juice contains a strong antioxidant, in this case vitamin C. It protects the vulnerable fruit flesh against free radicals that try to break down the healthy cells in the apple.
 
The same process goes on everywhere inside your body at all times. The difference is that your cells don’t have a constant supply of lemon juice to coat them, at least not as directly as in the experiment. They do, however, have an antioxidant defence.
 
The rotting of the apple can be compared to the aging of the human body. There are differences, but the basic process is the same. One of the reasons that antioxidants have enjoyed such a lot of attention for the last decade is the realization that they have strong anti-aging effects.
 
Understand this & you understand the importance attributed to antioxidants as a staple ingredient in the best anti wrinkle creams on the market.

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Last modified: October 24, 2008, 3:28 PM

I have just contacted Asiatic Beauty & they deny that any Apples or Lemons endured any undue suffering at the hands of their mad scientists during this experiment.
 
Apparently great care was taken to minimise any suffering & the Apple was humanely used as a sweetening ingredient in a subsequent curry.
 
When pressed about the fate of the Lemon they offered no comment other than to hint that lemons make a great drink mixer.
 
Please don't ban me Julea, you know I'm only joking.
 
p.s....I absolutely lurve your Antea Age Cream, there that ought to do it.

As a forty something year old who has used white tea products for over 10 years, I can wholeheartedly vouch for the anti-aging properties of my favourite anti-oxidant laden camelia.
 
Sweet, pure and packed with natures own protection against the ravages of harsh commercial soaps and detergents, I am convinced that white tea products are the reason that I am regularly mistaken for a person ten years younger than my true biological age.
 
Well done Julea, it's such a pleasure to see that you are bringing the benefits of white tea to all in such a safe, convenient and effective way!

Julea , I have just read the article you wrote (on the news page) & I must say I am very impressed with your literary genre.
 
Are you an ex-journalist by any chance?

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Last modified: November 8, 2008, 12:30 AM

Diana, Julea a journalist?
 
errrrrr...

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Last modified: November 10, 2008, 2:13 PM

Ha Ha Ha, I love these emoticons

Antioxidants according to Wikipedia:
 
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that transfers electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Oxidation reactions can produce free radicals, which start chain reactions that damage cells. Antioxidants terminate these chain reactions by removing free radical intermediates, and inhibit other oxidation reactions by being oxidized themselves. As a result, antioxidants are often reducing agents such as thiols or polyphenols.
 
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antioxidant

Found another good source of info to share with you....
 
Anti-oxidants according to wisegeeks:
 
The prefix "anti" means against, in opposition to, or corrective in nature. In order to understand antioxidants, it helps to learn what exactly these agents oppose and correct.
 
Within the human body, millions of processes are occurring at all times. These processes require oxygen. Unfortunately, that same life giving oxygen can create harmful side effects, or oxidant substances, which cause cell damage and lead to chronic disease.
 
Oxidants, commonly known as "free radicals," are also introduced through external sources such as exposure to the sun or pollution. Other mediums include stress, as well as things that people put into their bodies, such as alcoholic beverages, unhealthy foods, and cigarette smoke.
 
In much the same way as oxidation creates rust, causing a breakdown on the surface of inanimate objects, oxidation inside the body causes a breakdown of cells. Free radicals produced by this breakdown attack healthy cells, usually DNA as well as proteins and fats. This chain of events weakens immunological functions as well as speeding up the aging process, and is also linked to several diseases such as cataracts, various forms of cancer, and heart disease. Some studies indicate possible links to arthritis and several other chronic conditions.
 
Antioxidants, or anti-oxidation agents, reduce the effect of dangerous oxidants by binding together with these harmful molecules, decreasing their destructive power. Antioxidants can also help repair damage already sustained by cells.
 
Certain antioxidant enzymes are produced within the body. The most commonly recognized of these naturally occurring antioxidants are Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Glutathione. Superoxide Dismutase changes the structure of oxidants and breaks them down into hydrogen peroxide. Catalase in turn, breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and tiny oxygen particles or gasses. Glutathione is a detoxifying agent, which binds with different toxins to change their form so that they are able to leave the body as waste.
 
Other antioxidant agents are found in foods, such as dark green leafy vegetables. Items high in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene are believed to be the most beneficial. These nutrients are commonly found in fruits and vegetables, those with the strongest colors being healthiest. Orange and red peppers, tomatoes, spinach, and carrots are examples.
 
Choosing raw fruits and vegetables rather than cooked, provides the highest concentration and best absorption of antioxidants. Dietary supplements are also available for those that do not consume enough antioxidant-producing foods.
 
Source: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-antioxidants.htm

when you spread lemon juice over an apple slice, not even for 9 hours!! I know because I tried it out.