Foods Rich in Antioxidants That Are Healthy
A healthy diet is key to living a long and happy life; antioxidants are one of the most beneficial nutrients your body can get. Antioxidants help protect against cell damage caused by molecules called free radicals, which could lead to inflammation and other health problems. These compounds are also found naturally in certain plant foods. Eating a diet rich in antioxidant-packed food can significantly reduce signs of ageing as well as help ward off age-related diseases such as cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and more. Read on for a detailed look at some of the best foods rich in antioxidants!
List of Foods Rich in Antioxidants
To identify the antioxidants-rich foods, we must first understand the elements found in foods which can serve as an antioxidant. These elements are beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, selenium, and vitamins like A, E, and C. The following are antioxidants-enriched foods which have contain nutrients:
- Pomegranate
Pomegranate is one of the top foods rich in antioxidants and is highly nutritious. This fruit is full of vitamins, particularly vitamin E and a specific ingredient called ellagitannins, which reduces inflammation inside the body and acts as an antioxidant. Having one serving (1 cup) of pomegranate on a daily basis is good enough to minimize the antioxidant damage in the body.
- Beans
Beans are one of the most inexpensive foods which are antioxidant-rich and also filling in nature. Beans, like kidney beans, red beans, pinto beans, or black beans are full of antioxidants and having just half a cup of any of these beans on a daily basis can protect you from free radical damage.
- Blueberries
Blueberries are another antioxidant-rich fruit, and its antioxidant content is believed to be 40 times more than many other fruits and vegetables. Eating just a cup of blueberries would provide 13,427 total antioxidants which is much more than the daily recommended value.
- Artichokes
Artichokes are nutritious vegetables which are delicious and are common in many regions of the world. It is an excellent source of minerals, fibre, and antioxidants. It is also rich in vitamins A and C which is even more protective against various damages inside the body.
- Goji berries
Goji berries are small dried berries which are rich in many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Goji berries contain a polysaccharide called lycium barbarum, which is an excellent antioxidant. Goji berries have also been found to be effective against heart disease and cancer.
- Dark chocolate
Another delicious antioxidant-rich food choice is dark chocolate. Dark chocolate is full of cocoa, which is full of antioxidants as well as vital minerals. Just a hundred grams of good dark chocolate would provide around 15 millimoles of antioxidants.
- Pecans
Pecans are delicious dry fruits, rich in good fat, minerals, and, more importantly, antioxidants. A 100 g of pecans is known to contain 10.6 mmol of antioxidants, which is more than enough for your daily requirement.
Conclusion
With the right knowledge of the health benefits of food rich in antioxidants, we can make informed decisions about what to eat and ensure that our diets are robust. Antioxidant-rich foods give us the essential nutrients we need, protect us from chronic illnesses, and help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Not only does incorporating these foods into your diet create a healthy lifestyle, but it can also save you a significant amount of money on health insurance in the long run. As we all know, preventing illnesses is much more cost-effective than treating them.