Natural Antioxidants Sources
Antioxidants are truly the best friends of our health.
They strengthen our immune systems, fight off infections, prevent cancer, help with detoxification, prevent cardiovascular diseases, maintain the health of our nervous systems, reduce the risk of cataract, strengthen our bones, accelerate wound healing and maintain the health and elasticity of our skin.
With so many benefits, people have started to introduce them more and more in their diets. However, they seem to have forgotten that they can get their antioxidants from foods and started using diverse supplements.
This is why I’ve created this list with top foods and drinks from where you can get antioxidants in a natural state.
1. Coffee
Coffee is an excellent source of antioxidants. Besides its main purpose (keep us awake), coffee has numerous health benefits like protecting the liver and colon, preventing type 2 diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. Still, due to its high content of caffeine, you might want to consume it with moderation and remember that by adding milk to it, antioxidants are instantly blocked.
2. Tea
Black, white and green tea also contain a great amount of antioxidants. They protect the stomach, liver and esophagus and help the body flush out all of the harmful chemicals; white tea is the one with the highest amount of antioxidants. Still, all types of tea contain polyphenols , a powerful antioxidant associated with numerous health benefits.
3. Berries
Blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and the most important of them cranberries. These delicious fruits are the richest in antioxidants, containing a lot of vitamins, fibers and minerals which successfully help with the prevention of cancer.
4. Red grapes
Red grapes contain a special ingredient called resveratrol which has been positively linked to inhibiting cancer cells development, prevents heart diseases, degenerative nerve disease, viral infections and is also believed to decrease the mechanism of Alzheimer’s disease.
5. Nuts
Even though nuts are high in calories, don’t avoid them. Nuts contain a great amount of vitamin E, the most powerful antioxidant which is known for lowering the bad cholesterol and increasing the good one.
6. Whole grains
Either you consumewhole grains under the form of cereals or bread, whole grain products are perfect for a healthy breakfast. They provide you with the necessary daily amount of antioxidants and help fight the type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and reduce the risk of insulin resistance.
7. Soy foods
Products made out of soy are perfect for vegetarians and not only, since they are very rich in antioxidants. The US FDA says that consuming at least 25 grams of soy protein per day, combined with a healthy diet, low in saturated fats, can successfully contribute to the prevention of cancer.
8. Carrots
High in beta-carotene, the most powerful antioxidant, carrots reduce the risk factors of cancer development and also protect us from cardiovascular disease.
9. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are also rich in beta-carotene and lycopene, ascorbic acids and phenols, powerful antioxidants. Tomatoes are not only delicious and give a special flavor to our food, but they are also effective in the fight of certain types of cancer, in the prevention of liver cirrhosis, of kidney stones, they lower the cholesterol and also prevent bleeding due to its content of vitamin K.
10. Broccoli
Broccoli is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron, potassium, beta-carotene, folic acid and vitamin A. It has proven cancer-fighting abilities so don’t ignore this vegetable.
11. Spinach
Although many people may not enjoy spinach’s taste that much, know that this vegetable is the lowest in calories and contains lutein, a very important antioxidant which protects your vision and helps in lowering blood pressure.
12. Garlic
Even though many people avoid garlic because of its unpleasant smell, garlic contains a high amount of antioxidants and gives a special flavor to your food. A regular consumption of garlic can help you maintain your heart healthy, reduce the blood pressure, prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels.
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RSS Trackback URL 23. December 2010 (09:15)Filed under: Nutrition by Alice in Dietland
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