For years I've been reading about hormesis, and for MORE years we've all been encouraged to eat foods which are rich in antioxidants. Of course, "we" know the connection, but those who get their nutrition education through advertisements, or magazine/newspaper articles which are hardly more than that, only know the A-word as a magical, superfood-related concept.
Short story: antioxidant foods tend to be micro-stressors which act positively by making our immune systems rev up to counteract them. The revved systems also take on other threats, which by themselves ... weren't potent enough to provoke the same response ...?
I still find the "hormetic hypothesis" a little iffy. It's related to a concept handed down to us (originally from Greek philosophy) by Nietzsche, who expressed a huge number of highly questionable notions: "What does not destroy me makes me stronger" -- how does that follow? I might be more inclined to end that sentence, "...weakens me, and may shorten my life."
I was reminded of the almost-universal canonization of antioxidants by YET ANOTHER paean to the anthocyanins of blueberries, in the popular press. More than red wine! Low in vitamins, but still a superfood! Sing HO for ....
Yeah.
Probably the chief hormetic aspect of anthocyanins (or anthocyanidins) is the CN -- cyanide -- part. The favorite quick-acting poison of mystery writers is NOT something to flirt with ... especially if you tend to be hypothyroid.
HUH? An enlightened hypothyroid individual knows that "cyanide"-containing substances like yucca/casava are goitrogens. Avoiding goitrogens should be the NUMBER-ONE STRATEGY FOR OPTIMIZING THYROID PERFORMANCE. Don't eat lots of raw or undercooked cruciferous vegetables; don't ingest brominated or fluoridated food-like products (including tap-water in some places); limit fermented cabbage (etc); look upon millet and teff as NOT-FOOD....
Of course, this isn't going to put me off blueberries -- they might have "high in antioxidants" written all over them, but that are still very low indeed in the questionable compounds that we actually need to be concerned about. Blueberries, red wine, other "antioxidant" foods, are a big YES -- concentrated supplements isolated from them, NO.
What casual observers never hear about, either, is that oxidation is *necessary* for digestion and killing bacteria and possibly even cancer cells. Remember the study about people taking vitamin E getting higher rates of cancer? Possibly, it was cancer cells not being oxidized. And a month ago when I took vitamin C (and before that when I took krill oil), my skin broke out with acne. (Acne bacteria not being oxidized.)
ReplyDeleteThat's absolutely true! When our bodies go awry, it's probably because something starts happening "too much" or "too little," not that something new and unprecedented is happening. :-)
DeleteIt certainly will not put me off blueberrries either ...
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
:-) I've always loved those doggone little things....
DeleteMe and my husband have noticed that eating blueberries stimulates GI truck too much. It looks like such almost irresistible juicy globules designed perfectly for dispensing the seeds often and quickly after consumption, and the effect gets stronger with a daily consumption.We were eating blueberries daily for at least a month because four huge 7 feet bushes grow in our backyard. I guess an occasional consumption of store-bought blueberries doesn't allow such experience in a full measure.
DeleteHi Tess,
ReplyDeleteafaik in spite of the similar naming, there are no -CN groups in anthocyanins and related compounds, no nitrogen at all in the structures listed at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthocyanin
They are nasty enough without it!
C.
I've been sloppy -- thanks for making me do my homework! ;-)
DeleteInteresting though how blue foods seem to be innately unappealing.
ReplyDeleteC.
possibly because we instinctively associate the color with moldy, dangerous deterioration?
DeleteWell food doesn't have to be purple to be no good for you but quite a few wild blue and black fruits are toxic, eg solanum - the nightshade varieties are widespread.
ReplyDeleteEggplants are suspiciously bitter, potato berries are highly poisonous etc.
C.
I was reading an article about wonders of a thyme oil, when the warning took my attention "Thyme oil should not be taken internally, as it can cause nausea, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, and muscle problems. Doing so may also negatively impact your heart, lungs, and body temperature. It may also stimulate your thyroid gland, which is why this essential oil is not recommended for people with hyperthyroidism." In Russia people very often add dry or fresh thyme to their tea. It does taste very good. Tess, I thought, what if while the thyme oil is bad for a hyperthyroidism, it may be beneficial for the people with an under-active thyroid?
ReplyDeleteThyme does grow well as a patio plant.
interesting! thanks, Galina!
Deletethyme is a must-have in my garden ... but my garden is just now starting to be crafted, after our garage construction. :-) I won't have vegetables till next year (beyond what I have in pots), but the herbs will go in ASAP.