Oxidants are substances that can damage cells in the body. Constant exposure to oxidants is a part of everyday life. Oxidants are found everywhere, from the air we breathe to the bacteria in the environment. 

People with cystic fibrosis are exposed to oxidants more than people without CF. Beginning in infancy, high levels of airway inflammation are seen in people with CF. This inflammation produces oxidants that damage the lungs. Bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa that commonly infect the lungs of people with CF produce even more oxidants. 

Antioxidants are chemicals that protect the body from oxidants. Plant-based foods have a lot of antioxidants. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and fat-soluble vitamins can help give your body the antioxidants it needs to stay healthy. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Dietary Guidelines recommend 2 servings of fruits and 3 servings of vegetables a day.

For people with CF, poor digestion makes it harder to absorb vitamins and antioxidants from the foods they eat. Researchers are looking for alternative ways to deliver antioxidants to people with CF.  

Ways to Get More Antioxidants

• Buy ready-to-eat green salads.
• Snack on baby carrots.
• Mix shredded carrots into meals.
• Add chopped vegetables to meals.
• Double the size of your serving of vegetables at dinner.
• Sprinkle raisins, berries, or sliced fresh fruit on your cereal.
• Add sliced tomato, cucumber, lettuce, avocado, or other vegetables to your sandwich.
• Make fruit smoothies.
• Keep a bowl of fruit on the kitchen counter so you will think to eat it.
• Order sweet potato fries instead of regular French fries.
• Add fresh fruit to yogurt, oatmeal, salads, pancakes, or ice cream.
• Have fruit pie for dessert.
• Enjoy salsa and guacamole with corn chips.
• Try spinach artichoke dip or guacamole dip.