Top 10 Antioxidant Rich Foods
What are Antioxidants and why should you care?
Antioxidants are very important substances that are found are required by your body that perform very important tasks. An antioxidant is a substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products within your body. Free radicals are compounds that are able to cause harm if their levels become too high in your body. These compounds are directly linked to different illnesses including diabetes, diabetes, poor skin condition, and cancer. These free radicals are highly reactive compounds thus allowing them to bind with healthy cells, and can lead to an oxidative stress that can damage your cells.
Where can you find Antioxidants and Free Radicals
Antioxidants can be found in many substances, but are most abundant in vitamins C, E and A. Fruits and vegetables such as oranges or papayas are also great as a source of antioxidants. Unfortunately Free Radicals can be found in the environment, such as cigarette smoke, sunlight, and air pollution. With this free radicals are found naturally with exercise and metabolization of food, and a low percentage of these compounds within your system are fine.
1. Berries
Berries are an amazing source of antioxidants, and there are a great many different types of berries found all over the world. They can come sweet, bitter, or savory, and are known to contain a low amount of calories. One study showed that blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries have the highest antioxidant activity of commonly consumed fruits, and are a very viable source of antioxidants, vitamin C, vitamin A. Not only are berries a good source of antioxidants, but they may help improve blood sugar and insulin response. Berries may improve your blood sugar and insulin levels, high in fiber
3. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a very exotic food that is cultivated throughout the Middle East, South Asia, and Mediterranean region. This food.This fruit is rich in flavonoids, anthocyanins, punicic acid, ellagitannins, and alkaloids. These components allow for this fruit to have antiatherogenic, antihypertensive, and anti-inflammatory properties. To consume pomegranate you eat their seeds and Pomegranate seeds get their vibrant red because of the polyphenols. These chemicals are powerful antioxidants that bring numerous different benefits in eradicating harmful toxins found in your body. It is also said that pomegranate juice contains more antioxidants that any other type of juice.
4. Cauliflower
Cauliflower is not only a good source of carotenoid and flavonoid antioxidants, but it is a really easy food to cook and implement into recipes. Cauliflower has anti-cancer effects and may reduce the risk of several other illnesses, including heart disease. One of the nutritional benefits that you will see is that there is vitamin c, which is an amazing way to get antioxidants, and you will see it recurring in foods throughout this list. Cauliflower is not only a food that is used to so easily receive nutrients, but it's natural aroma and delicious taste will leave you begging for more!
5. Spinach
Spinach is one of the most nutritionally dense foods. It is packed with vitamins, antioxidants, minerals, and has minimal calories. It is said to provide 0.9 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams. Not only does spinach come with these antioxidants, but it is an excellent source of vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C and folate as well as being a good source of manganese, magnesium, iron and vitamin B2. Vitamin K is a good way to maintain bone health, vitamin A is important for normal vision, and a good way to protect the immune system, and vitamin C us an excellent source of antioxidants
6.Beets
Beets come with fiber, potassium, iron, folate and antioxidants. They contain a group of antioxidants called betalains, and are known to bring excellent health benefits. Fiber is known to bring digestive benefits, potassium and iron are needed by the red blood cells in your body to function properly, and we know that antioxidants are used to kill free radicals, and are an amazing way to keep the health of your cells and your body great. Not only do beets have antioxidants, but they help purify your blood and your liver, by using phytonutrients called betalain and vulgaxanthin which bring antioxidants, anti-inflammatory agents, and detoxification support
7. Red Cabbage
Red Cabbage brings a variety of different nutritional benefits. This food brings an abundance of vitamin A and vitamin C, but it is also a very healthy source of calcium, iron, magnesium, and vitamin b-6. As shown before, this food has a great amount of vitamin C which carries many agents that reduce the number of free radicals found in your cells. There are not only antioxidants found in this food, but it is amazingly low in calories and can be so greatly used in a variety of healthy dishes. This food brings only 2% saturated fat, 0% cholesterol, and 12g of protein, based on a 2,000 calorie diet
8. Beans
Beans are a variety of inexpensive and healthy legumes. There are quite a few different types of healthy beans that are an excellent source of antioxidants, and it is said that a green broad bean contains 2mmol of antioxidants for every 100 grams. With these numbers you really can't go wrong, and the variety is so large that you can find the perfect fit for you. It is said that red beans, red kidney beans, pinto beans, and black beans are a great source of antioxidants.
9.Kale
Kale is also a very renowned super food that has a great amount of health benefits. Kale has the powerful antioxidants l Quercetin and Kaempferol, which are great for killing free radicals and amplifies the natural detoxification process. It also contains certain plant compounds that can help protect against certain cancers. And preparing it is very easy! You can have it raw, which brings the most benefits, but you can boil, pan fry, and blend it into a smoothie. Overall Kale contains fiber, antioxidants, calcium, vitamins C and K, iron, and a wide range of other nutrients that can help prevent various health problems, and is an amazing food to get antioxidants.
10.Oranges
Orange is a very common fruit that comes in many different variations, but each one comes with amazing health benefits. Oranges are an excellent source of phenolic compounds, especially flavonoids, which contribute to most of their antioxidant properties. These properties are found in very few fruits which is why this fruit has made it in the list. Not only do we know that oranges are a great source of antioxidants, but one of the first things that we learn about oranges is that they are a great source of vitamin C, and we know that vitamin C can be used in supplements that boost your daily activity and energy. So instead of taking supplements, why not take it from the original source
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By Druv Singh