Many people have heard about antioxidants and their numerous health benefits. Since we don’t have to rely upon supplements to gain antioxidants, we should try to incorporate the foods which supply these beneficial aids into our diets. By consuming foods rich in antioxidants we prevent and repair the stress that comes from oxidation (a normal process that occurs during normal cell function). A small percentage of the cells become damaged during this process and they become known as free radicals. These free radicals have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. So if you could stop these free radicals from forming simply by consuming antioxidant rich foods then why wouldn’t you?
Cranberries, blueberries, and black berries are some of the most antioxidant rich foods. Wild blueberries are the most beneficial of all. Just one cup of them provides the consumer with 13,427 total antioxidants. This includes vitamin A, vitamin C and flavonoids. This particular dosage is more than ten times the USDA’s recommended dosage. However, if you can’t get your hands on wild blueberries, then store bought blueberries are almost as rewarding. Store bought blueberries have 9.019 antioxidants per cup and are just as vitamin enriched.
Some other antioxidant rich foods include beans, artichoke hearts, russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, spinach, and eggplant. Beans are by far the winning antioxidant provider. One half cup of red beans provides the consumer with 13,727 antioxidants, and red kidney beans have 13,259. You can create many delicious recipes with beans, such as: beans and rice, burritos, split pea soup, and peanut butter sandwiches. What many people are unaware of is that peanuts are in the same family of plants as beans and peas, so consuming a diet rich in peanuts is also beneficial. So the next time you are looking for a healthy snack or meal, look no further than one of these vitamin enriched foods.
Lauren S. Johnson writes health articles about fitness and nutrition.
Some of her favorite passions include studying the medicinal benefits of herbal remedies, colon cleansing and
weight loss products.
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