What even are antioxidants?

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes antioxidants as substances that can prevent or delay types of cell damage.

Types of antioxidants include vitamins C and E, selenium, and carotenoids.

Recent studies have revealed that antioxidants can function as defense systems against oxidative stress and damage, helping in preventing Alzheimer’s.

Observational studies have also identified that individuals who eat more vegetables and fruits are at a lower risk for several diseases like cardiovascular diseases and cancer.

By consuming a regular balance of antioxidants into daily dietary habits, you can ensure that your body not only obtains vital nutrients but to also prevent nutritional imbalance that could impede brain and body development.

What can you eat that is rich in antioxidants?

What ought to be noted is that overconsumption of any vitamin is not beneficial to the body. However, here is a list of different foods rich in antioxidants to help balance your diet.

 Fruits and Vegetables all the Galore!

Spices

Beverages

To list a few: cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, peaches, grapes, carrots, broccoli

The list undoubtedly does not stop there and taking into account seasonal availability of produce is very important.

Supplementing with dried fruits is also a potential alternative. According to the American Dietetic Association, dried fruits have one of the highest antioxidants concentration due to the removal of water (while dilutes this concentration).

Dried fruits include raisins, dried pears, plums and apples

Clove, oregano and thyme are some spices with the highest concentration of antioxidants.

Using these spices to enrich the flavor of your protein or carbohydrate grain-based dishes can undoubtedly help towards consuming a regular balance of antioxidants.

Antioxidants in Herbs and Spices – Herbal Medicine – NCBI Bookshelf (nih.gov) is a great source to use to understand more about antioxidant concentrations in spices.

Drinks such as apple juice, pomegranate juice and grapefruit juice can also provide a proportion of the antioxidants you need. These beverages at their core are a liquification of the fruits you consume- just in a form that some might prefer over others.