The Rust Inside You

Your body is rusting. Right now, as you read this.

Not literally, but the process is eerily similar. When iron meets oxygen and water, it rusts. When your cells meet too many unstable molecules called free radicals, they get damaged in much the same way. That's oxidative stress.

Free radicals are a normal byproduct of being alive. Your mitochondria produce them when generating energy. Your immune system uses them to fight infections. In small amounts, they're fine.

The problem starts when the balance tips. Too many free radicals, not enough antioxidants to neutralise them. That's when the damage piles up. DNA gets corrupted. Cell membranes break down. Proteins malfunction. Over time, this drives everything from wrinkles to heart disease to neurodegeneration.

What tips the balance? The usual suspects. Ultra-processed food. Chronic stress. Poor sleep. Pollution. Excess alcohol. Smoking. And yes, too much sugar. Those blood sugar spikes we keep talking about? They generate free radicals like a factory running overtime.

But your body has a defence system. Antioxidants. They're in real food. Berries, dark leafy greens, nuts, extra virgin olive oil, herbs, and spices. Turmeric and ginger are especially potent.

Your body also makes its own master antioxidant called glutathione. Sleep, exercise, and cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts) all boost its production.

You can't stop free radicals entirely. But you absolutely can stack the odds in your favour.

Your action today: Add one antioxidant-rich food to each meal today. A handful of berries at breakfast, spinach at lunch, extra virgin olive oil at dinner. And as always, log it in the app.