Increase Your Antioxidant Intake

Raising the level of antioxidants in your daily diet helps to improve your overall health. Recent studies have been conducted on foods that contain antioxidants and as it turns out, high levels of antioxidants are found in foods that most people enjoy. Finally, a tasty way to add a healthy component to your diet! Antioxidants can be found in at least one of your favorite foods so you will be doing something great for your body without feeling as if you are sacrificing the foods you love.

According to an article from Harvard Health Publications, "Antioxidants stabilize harmful by-products of the body's energy-making machinery. These by-products, known as free radicals, can damage DNA, make bad cholesterol even worse, and wreak havoc elsewhere in the body." Damage of cells has been linked to diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and cancer.

There is an abundance of foods that are high in antioxidants. According to health experts, antioxidants should be added to an already balanced diet. You should not switch to an all antioxidant foods diet, because you risk denying your body of other essential nutrients that antioxidant rich foods may not contain. You should add in some of the following foods into your diet as they have been found to contain high levels of antioxidants.

The following foods are rich in antioxidants:

Small red beans, blueberries, red kidney beans, pinto beans, cranberries, cooked artichokes, blackberries, dried prunes, raspberries, strawberries, apples, pecans, cherries, black plums, Russet potatoes, black beans, walnuts, coffee, ground cloves, grape juice, red wine, pineapple juice, dark chocolate, cinnamon, oregano, spinach, bran flakes, mangoes, and green tea.

Berries and beans have the highest antioxidant capacity per serving. The berries and other fruits are easy to sneak into your diet. You can toss them on salads, yogurt, or cereal or use them as a sweet snack. Another benefit of adding antioxidants to your diet is that you can now enjoy the potatoes you were avoiding for fear of carbohydrates because they are so rich in beneficial antioxidants. Beans can be used as side dishes or added to pasta or soups for extra taste and added health benefits.

I particularly like Naked Juice in Mango Madness. It is on of their juices that is an antioxidant booster. Each bottle contains enough juice for about three glasses and is a delicious way to increase your level of antioxidants. The only down side is that it is on the expensive side, so I try to make a bottle last a few servings. Bottled green tea is also a great way to get antioxidants on the go.

Sources: Jennifer Warner, "Antioxidant Riches Found in Unexpected Foods" http://www.webmd.com/diet/guide/20061101/antioxidants-found-in-unexpected-foods?page=1

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