In the weeks that follow, starting now, we’re going to guide you in taking simple steps to increase your intake of brain-protective antioxidants and polyphenols in fruit, vegetables, herbs and spices.

Life is a balancing act between making energy by combusting glucose with oxygen, then generating ‘oxidant’ exhaust fumes, and disarming them. In the end, we lose, which is why all oxygen-based life forms have a finite life.

However, you can not only add years to your life, but also life to your years by improving your intake of antioxidants and polyphenols.

Watch this film: ‘Keeping Your Brain Young with Antioxidants’ in the Cognition Library here

In the weeks that follow, we want to turn you into a vegetable and fruit super-fan, using a lot more fresh herbs and spices. We’ll also explain the value of antioxidant supplements, especially vitamin C, and how to reduce sources of oxidation to tip the balance of life in your favour.

Optimum nutrition is really primarily about optimum antioxidant status. As you regain this, you’ll reverse inflammation and, with that the ageing processes that lead to degeneration of different parts of the body, from the joints to your brain.