Your Best Source of Antioxidants: Foods High in Antioxidants
Foods high in antioxidants are more beneficial for health than antioxidant supplements. Supplements are important if it is not possible to get all the necessary nutrients from the diet; however, nothing can replace a diet high in antioxidants.
Free radicals are very reactive molecules that are responsible for cellular damage and can cause diseases and premature aging if not defeated through the use of antioxidants. Antioxidants work by neutralizing these free radicals and stopping them from damaging cells.
Foods high in antioxidants are easily worked into a nutritious, healthy diet plan. While many people are tempted to add a supplement and not worry about their diet plan, it is important to consider that a healthy diet provides more than just antioxidants. Use supplements when necessary but don’t forego a healthy diet.
Foods high in antioxidants are also high in other vitamins and nutrients. Vitamins A, C, E, beta carotene, selenium and lycopene are just a few of the antioxidants that are important for good health.
Vegetables make up a large majority of the foods that are high in antioxidants. Broccoli, cauliflower, tomatoes and peppers are all excellent foods that are high in antioxidants. Picking vegetables is simple; choose those that have the most color. Brightly colored vegetables are high in phytonutrients.
Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are high in the antioxidant lutein; tomatoes and tomato products are powerhouses of lycopene and beta carotene is found in abundance in carrots and sweet potatoes. Fruits like blueberries and kiwi, prunes and pink grapefruit are all foods high in antioxidants.
Tea and coffee both are high in antioxidants, much to the surprise of many people. Green, white, black and oolong tea are all packed with antioxidants as are both caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee. Americans get more than half their necessary antioxidants from tea and coffee.
Nature has made it easy to protect the body from damaging free radicals with such a wide assortment of foods high in antioxidants. Nearly all fruits and vegetables, including those already mentioned and a multitude of others, are packed with antioxidants. In addition, they taste great and are highly portable.
Antioxidant supplements are also important for those times when eating a nutritious diet is not possible. Supplements are available in pills, powders and even juices.
Antioxidant supplements can be used in conjunction with eating foods high in antioxidants. Although there are some vitamins and minerals that should not be used in excess, it is not usually a concern.
Foods high in antioxidants are an important aspect of a healthy, well-balanced diet. Many of them, especially fruits, are portable enough to be eaten on the go. Insuring that the body is protected from free radicals, particularly in this day and age of high pollution levels, is important to protecting the heart and other organs from disease.