Antioxidants are found in foods as well as produced in your body and help protect and defend cells from damage caused by free radicals. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants can help increase blood antioxidant levels to fight oxidative stress – which can increase risk of chronic diseases – thus reducing the risk of such diseases.
Vitamins C and E, as well as carotenoids like beta-carotene, lycopene and lutein, are some of the more prominent antioxidants.
Carotenoids – Foods high in carotenoids may be effective in helping prevent certain cancers and benefit eye health.
Vitamin E – Vitamin E helps protect you from cell damage that can lead to cancer as well as heart disease and cataracts.
Vitamin C – Vitamin C protects the body from infection. It also helps produce collagen, which is vital to holding bones and muscles together, and aids the absorption of iron and folate.
Foods Rich in Antioxidants – Try these to gain the benefits of antioxidants!
Dark chocolate – the higher the cocoa content, the more antioxidants
Berries, including blueberries, strawberries, Goji berries, raspberries
Pecans
Kale
Artichokes
Beans
Beets
Red cabbage
Spinach