Super Foods and the Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants are responsible for the prevention and repair of cell damage, caused by free radicals. When our cells use oxygen, free radicals are created and later eliminated by antioxidants. Some antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E; Also, they are found in substances such as lycopene, beta-carotene, glutathione, lutein and selenium.

If you smoke or come into contact with pollution, radiation or pesticides, free radicals can accumulate. As a result, your health could suffer from cancers, cardiovascular diseases or other health problems. Fortunately, there are many antioxidant rich food and drinks available. Some foods where they are found include fruits, nuts, beans, spices and vegetables.

Fruits (or dried fruits) are a good source of antioxidants for many people. When choosing fruits for consumption, try to select a variety of colorful fruits. Some fruits include the following:

• Cranberries
• Blueberries
• Bananas
• Pears
• Apples
• Olives

Beans are rich in antioxidants.One option is to make a meal (or side dish) that includes spices mixed with Black beans or pinto beans. Some addition beans include:

• Black Beans
• Lentils
• Kidney Beans
• Black Eye Peas
• Lima Beans

Nuts and seeds are a great snack food that is antioxidant rich. Pecans, hazelnuts and Walnuts have an higher than average concentration of antioxidants among the nuts. Some additional nuts and seeds are as following:

• Pistachios
• Almonds
• Pumpkin seeds
• Sunflower seeds

Spices have some of the highest concentrations of antioxidants among all the different classifications of foods. Some notable spices include Nutmeg, Thyme, and rosemary. Some additional Spices include:

• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Oregano
• Garlic
• Ginger

Vegetables are always a good addition to fruits. When you are selecting vegetables for consumption, try to select a variety of colorful vegetables. Think about the green, red and dark pigmented vegetables, to get as wide array of nutrition as possible. Some antioxidant rich vegetables include the following:

• Spinach, Broccoli, and Artichokes
• Beets, Red Cabbage and sweet potatoes
• Carrots, Squash and Corn
• Cauliflower, Turnips and Onions