Via Huffington Post
Yoga could be the next new ‘antioxidant’ says Marylin Wei, founder of yogahealthtoday.com. Antioxidants on the skin play a role in reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
The July 2015 Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine study found 12 weeks of yoga raises the level of natural antioxidants in the body. The research showed evidence the immune system is strengthened too.
Antioxidants help the body eliminate free radicals. Free radicals are pollutants in the body that can be linked to heart disease and cancer.
Whole foods such as beans, nuts, fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, along with green tea. Now you can add yoga to the list.
Wei reports that the study revealed that “12 weeks of yoga led to higher levels of antioxidants in the body and less signs of oxidative stress compared to people who did running, cycling, or jumping rope.”
Lower levels of the stress hormone adrenaline were recorded, along with higher levels of the defence proteins called cytokines for strengthening the immune system.
Wei recommends an all-round weekly yoga program that involves asanas (poses), pranayama (breathing) and a loving-kindness meditation to make the most of the health benefits of yoga.