You might have heard that antioxidants are vital to keep your cells and body in better health, but there are many types of them, all crucial if you want to stay in great shape. Here are some superfoods packed with antioxidants.
Blueberries
Powerful antioxidants such as anthocyanins are found in blueberries – this is what gives them their rich color. Fresh blueberries contain 15 different anthocyanins to fight off chronic diseases.
Quinoa
Although you should have berries in your diet, did you know there are higher concentrations of certain antioxidants, such as quercetin and kaempferol, in quinoa? One of quercetin’s benefits is that it supports heart health while kaempferol prevents oxidative damage of cells, DNA and lipids.
Salmon
When eating this fatty fish, choose wild instead of farmed salmon as it gives you greater amounts of astaxanthin – one of the most powerful antioxidants when it comes to fighting free radicals.
Steel-cut Oats
Oats can protect your heart, thanks to antioxidants called avenanthramides that are only found in oats. Avenanthramides prevent free radicals from oxidizing your LDL (bad) cholesterol and damaging walls of arteries.
Greek Yogurt
This simple yet delicious treat is also healthy for you. It contains riboflavin that helps to promote more antioxidant activity. It basically enables antioxidants such as glutathione to destroy free radicals. Try to eat it daily!
Coconut Oil
Animal studies have shown that antioxidants found in coconut oil are more effective at lowering arthritis-related inflammation than popular prescriptions of medicine.
Kale
There are many nutrients in kale, with one of its must-have antioxidants being its alpha-lipoic acid content. Especially beneficial to people with diabetes, this antioxidant lowers glucose levels and improves insulin sensitivity.
Cocoa
When protecting your heart, reach for cocoa! Its flavanols, which are also found in wine and fruit, have been said to lower blood pressure and improve blood vessel health in patients who have heart disease.
Eggs
You might not think of eggs when considering antioxidant-rich foods, but they contain lutein. This antioxidant is absorbed much easier from eggs than spinach, and it protects your eyes from macular degeneration.
Sweet Potato
Beta-carotene, which gets changed into vitamin A, is an important antioxidant that protects against various types of cancer. A medium-sized sweet potato gives you enough Vitamin A you need in a day!
Olive Oil
Polyphenols in olive oil known as hydroxytrosol (HT) protect blood vessel cells.
Avocado
These fruits not only contain unsaturated fats but also polyphenols that have antioxidants which keep harmful free radicals at bay. Avocado can be good for your skin and hair as well.
Chia Seeds
The darker the Chia seeds, the more quantities of the antioxidant quercetin they have. Quercetin has various health benefits, with one of them being that it works as a natural antihistamine.
Cauliflower
If we don’t get enough of the antioxidant thiocyanate, we can experience damage to cells, which can worsen inflammatory disease and possibly lead to atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries. Thiocyanate can be found in vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.
Tea
Drink more black tea – it contains an antioxidant called gallic acid which is thought to prevent cancer from spreading in the body.
Pumpkin
Carotenoids have been linked to decreased heart disease rates. In a study, researchers found that there was a correlation between lower carotenoids in the body and increased cases of heart disease.
Flaxseed
Lignans are an antioxidant found in flaxseed that can decrease inflammation and cholesterol.
Acai Juice
If you’ve wondered why acai berries are known as anti-aging, it’s thanks to their anthocyanin, and these berries have more than other fruits that are also rich in color, such as grapes.
Walnuts
A rich source of polyphenols, walnuts help to interact with free radicals, preventing them from causing harm to cells.
Spinach
Not just packed with lutein, spinach also contains zeaxanthin, another antioxidant that ensures healthy vision because it filters harmful light so that you can maintain healthy eye cells.
Eat more of these delicious superfoods to give your body the right antioxidants it needs every day.
