There are certain substances which ensure that fats, carbs and proteins are absorbed in the right amounts in the body. These are antioxidant foods! Antioxidants also improve cell condition, and general wellness in the body.
When certain kinds of oxygen molecules travel freely in the body, they cause oxidative damage which can be highly hazardous as this gives birth to free radicals. It is these free radicals that lead to cancer, premature aging and other ailments related to the heart!
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This is where antioxidants come into play. If you have enough antioxidants in your diet, then all the damage caused by oxygen would be negligible. Go to any nutritionist and they could tell you to be safe rather than sorry and advise you foods high in antioxidants not just to be healthy, but fit as well. Antioxidant Super Foods are rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, flavonoids and lycopene that do just help in reduced heart diseases, cancer and other health risks but also in promoting effective weight loss and to add to that, a healthy glowing skin!
This is your ultimate guide to antioxidants. Check out this list of antioxidants in food that won’t be that hard to find so that you can munch on them regularly!
Blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries, acai berries etc. are packed with antioxidants that also come in handy for weight loss. Blueberries are magical molecules that contain a total of 13,427 total antioxidants. In fact, all berries are rich in anti-oxidants. So mix it up and have your bowlful of differently colored berries to kill off cancerous cells!
According to studies, cocoa powder and dark chocolate have more antioxidant properties than some fruits. Dark chocolate consists of organic compounds like polyphenols, flavanols, catechins, and others which are biologically active, hence the antioxidant activity of dark chocolate increases manifold. Steer clear of cheap dark chocolate varieties in the market that contain more sugar than anything else. The main focus behind intake of high antioxidant foods is a powerful boost for immune system, rather than negate the effect of weight-loss supported by them!
Sometimes size doesn’t matter. A generous sprinkling of chia seeds on salads or smoothies would get you your daily antioxidants dosage as they abound in proteins, fiber and calcium. Get healthy fats along with appropriate quantities of antioxidants with mustard seeds, pumpkin seeds and flax seeds as well. Almonds have been touted as the most nutritious nuts of them all, as they come with Calcium, Vitamin E, fibers and minerals like magnesium and potassium all-in-one. Other nutty options to go for could be walnuts, peanuts etc.
Beans are an antioxidant powerhouse! In studies, three of the top five antioxidant-filled foods were found to be beans. Soybeans are high on nutrition as they come with vitamin C, calcium, zinc, and selenium. In fact tofu, which is made from soy contains high amounts of vegetable protein and can be instrumental in cutting down stubborn body fat. Soybean protein powder is also a hit amongst trainers. Black beans and kidney beans are also a good source of antioxidants.
Black grapes are one of the most anti-oxidant rich fruits! In fact, one of the health benefits of fruits is that you will always find antioxidants in abundance. Dark colored grapes are a reservoir for phytochemicals like anthocyanin and proanthocyanidin and generous amounts of Vitamin C and selenium. These phytochemicals fight against cancer causing cells, as well as heart diseases and have been proved to be beneficial for expediting all immune system processes too.
Start your day with a punch of antioxidants with a mixture of oats, berries and milk. At the same time, you would be enjoying a healthy, low-calorie snack. It is not just nutritionists, but even dietitians don’t shy away from advising this well-balanced cereal. Vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids, proteins, antioxidants – you name it and you have it in oats. Chuck your amino acid tablets, and go for oats. Not only are they a dieter’s best friend, but they also help in reducing cholesterol!
If you ask what is the most powerful anti-oxidant in the world, then there definitely can’t be one answer, but green veggies would definitely be in the running for topping that list. Combine green vegetables like spinach, broccoli etc. with brightly colored fruits for a heady boost of antioxidants in the form of a salad. Never take spinach for granted, it is one of the most anti-oxidant rich vegetables! Spinach enhances weight loss by cutting off cholesterol levels. It also contains folic acid loaded with vitamins like A, K , C and B and minerals like magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus!
Bell peppers are a great way to sneak in more antioxidants in your eats. Allow these colorful, crunchy and tangy vegetables to ripen to make the most their vitamin C and Carotenoid content and have the maximum impact that antioxidants can provide!
A low calorie vegetable that is loaded with minerals and vitamins, Red Cabbage has often been undermined when it comes to its antioxidant value. It is rich in fibre so you feel full for longer, while you can solve all your constipation and cholesterol problems with it. At the same time, the disease-fighting antioxidants are also working their way up in your system!
Many of the ingredients found in the kitchen are rich in antioxidants. It was just that the awareness was not there. For example turmeric carries an ingredient called curcumin, which can interfere with the spread of cancer cells in the body. Antioxidants in kitchen can also be found in the form of ginger, cinnamon, chilli, oregano, cloves and other unexpected ways. Though they have to be consumed in smaller quantities than fruits and vegetables, accommodating them in daily diet and increasing its nutritional value (and taste) won’t be that big a challenge!
In short, antioxidants are good samaritans. They work as scavengers to minimize the cell damage and make you feel that you make the most of what you’re consuming. And when all natural antioxidant foods come in colorful packaging while tasting delicious, we’re sure you wouldn’t complain! You could prepare delicious weight-gain smoothies too using some of the ingredients listed above. Cranberry juice, papaya smoothies, green tea, wheat grass juice, tomato juice etc. are nutritious antioxidant drinks, much easy to prepare!
