Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, carotene, lycopene, lutein and many other substances may play a role in helping to prevent diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease and macular degeneration.
Antioxidants are thought to help because they can neutralize free radicals, which are toxic byproducts of natural cell metabolism. The human body naturally produces antioxidants but the process isn’t 100 percent effective and that effectiveness declines with age.
Research at the Mayo Clinic is increasingly showing that those who eat antioxidant-rich foods reap health benefits. Foods, rather than supplements, may boost antioxidant levels because foods contain an unmatchable array of antioxidant substances. A supplement may contain a single type of antioxidant or even several. However, foods contain thousands of types of antioxidants, and it’s not known which of these substances confer the benefits.
Some of the better food sources of antioxidants are:
Berries: Blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and cranberries
Beans: Small red beans and kidney, pinto and black beans
Fruits: Many apple varieties (with peels), avocados, cherries, green and red pears, fresh or dried plums, pineapple, oranges, and kiwi
Vegetables: Artichokes, spinach, red cabbage, red and white potatoes (with peels), sweet potatoes and broccoli
Beverages: Green tea, coffee, red wine and many fruit juices
Nuts: Walnuts, pistachios, pecans, hazelnuts and almonds
Herbs: Ground cloves, cinnamon or ginger, dried oregano leaf and turmeric powder
Grains: Oat-based products
Dessert: Dark chocolate
Though supplements containing antioxidants are generally considered safe, two recent studies have suggested that taking higher than recommended doses of supplements such as vitamin E over time may actually be harmful and possibly toxic.
In contrast, many foods higher in antioxidants offer an array of health benefits, such as being high in fiber, protein and other vitamins and minerals and low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
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12 comments:
Great post.
These are very helthy choices.
Yah!!!
My family is already on board!!
Great to hear all our faves are sooo beneficial!
Hmm, yummy. Lots of my favourites here. I'm hungry now ...
Woe me! All I like is junk food
I think we need more vegetable flavoured donuts.
xo
Blue
Hi Angel Dust,
the knowing is the easy part, the keeping away from the unhealthy food (or habits) much harder
Hi Winnie, what we eat might not prevent us from being hit by a bus, but it could prevent us from feeling like we've been hit by a bus.
lol Aggie, there's hunger & hunger
And both need to be satisfied and tamed - well one tamed, whilst we let the other run wild.
lol Random, careful now
you know junk ends up in the trunk
Indigo, I think fruit doughnuts, apple turnovers, cherry pies, pears and icecream, peach melba, or profiterols in hot chocolate sauce with vanilla icecream are to die for ...
easy on the dough, and more nuts I say (unless you have a nut allergy of course)
Nothing like fresh fruits and veggies, I think a healthy diet it contributes to mental and emotinal health as well.
Is there something like the body absorbs the nutrients better when they are in the food we eat, rather than through supplements?
Good morning Quasar! Hope you are having a lovely weekend.
:)
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