Best Antioxidant-Rich Fruits

Growing up, my mother always told me how important it was to eat healthy. My dinner plate always had a protein, a starch, and a vegetable. We occasionally had dessert; though it was never denied to us, nor was it made to be part of dinner. If we wanted a cookie in the evening, we had a cookie, but we never sat down to cake and ice cream after each meal. As a result, I eat healthy as an adult, and have a fairly healthy attitude towards food. While I love an occasional piece of chocolate cake, I know better than to eat it every day. I strive for balanced meals, lots of fiber, and five servings of fruits and vegetables every single day. I freely admit that I do this to stay thin, and because I like the way I feel when I eat healthy. Recently I've learned that my diet has the added benefit of being rich in antioxidants.

Simply explained, antioxidants are molecules that protect the body from harm and are commonly found in healthy foods. While no one can say with certainty that a diet rich in antioxidants will protect you entirely from diseases such as cancer, researchers are adamant that antioxidants will improve your odds against contracting these diseases. The best sources of antioxidants are found in fruits and vegetables, and this article will give you the best antioxidant fruits available in your local grocery store.

Think color, and the more colorful, the better. One of the best antioxidant fruits is the brightly-colored pomegranate. Because of their high level of antioxidants, sales of pomegranate and pomegranate-infused products have soared in the past several years. Pomegranates are a good source of polyphenols, which are antioxidants such as tannins and anthocyanins. These may stop plaque from building up in your blood vessels, or prevent heart disease. A pomegranate takes a bit of effort to eat, but is delicious nonetheless. You can find one at your local grocery store.

Bananas are another fruit high in antioxidants. In addition to large amounts of potassium, bananas contain phenolic compounds, antioxidants that are thought to protect your body's kidney function by defeating harmful carcinogens. Both fun and easy to eat, the relatively low cost of today's banana makes this another antioxidant-rich fruit to add to your diet.

Blueberries have been found to rank at the top of the list in helpful antioxidant activity for your body. One serving gives you 100% of your daily value of Vitamin C, one of the most important antioxidants. This antioxidant-rich fruit also has been found to reduce memory problems, improve eyesight, prevent urinary tract infections, and lower your cholesterol. Blueberries are relatively inexpensive and high in fiber as well. An easy way to add these to your diet is to place blueberries in your breakfast. If you're cooking oatmeal, throw in a handful. They also go well with cereal, and are delicious in muffins. If breakfast isn't your cup of tea, why not throw blueberries in your salad this evening? Just a handful will do your body a world of good.

If you're not a fan of blueberries, try blackberries, strawberries, and cranberries. All contain large amounts of antioxidants your body needs. Their bright colors, myriad of cooking uses, and relatively low cost make berries the best antioxidant fruits for your diet. All are available at the local supermarket.

The best way to add antioxidants to your diet is to think varied and colorful. Antioxidant rich fruits are colorful and tasty, and available at your local supermarket. Slice a banana into your morning yogurt, or on a peanut butter sandwich. Throw a handful of berries into a salad. Have some pomegranate seeds as a mid-day snack. Before you know it, you've had the best fruits rich in antioxidants for your body, and satisfied your daily fruit requirement. It's simple, tasty, and can have long-lasting health benefits. In this writer's opinion, the low-calorie content of the fruits doesn't hurt, either.

Sources:

www.webmd.com

www.newscientist.com

www.medicinenet.com

www.whfoods.com

www.trueblueberry.com