Here we intend to give you a list of foods rich in antioxidants. But, before jumping on the list it is important to have some background knowledge about antioxidants and their benefits.
What are antioxidants and how do they benefit our health?
Antioxidants are natural compounds that protect our body from the damages caused by oxidants on the cellular level. The antioxidants protect the body from many harmful diseases like heart disease. They reduce the process of aging and make our skin youthful. They also help our gut and brain to remain healthy and active.
To reap all these benefits you just need to incorporate these following common food items into your regular diet.
Indian Gooseberries or Amla – These little green citrus fruits are considered the powerhouse of natural antioxidants. These have been used for centuries in many of the medicines due to their wide variety of health benefits. With a regular intake of Amla, you can have a healthy skin, hair, liver, heart, lungs and prevent a wide spectrum of diseases. You can click on the link to know more about benefits of amla.
Raisins – The raisins are full of anthocyanins, an antioxidant that gives you the boost of energy. They contain almost three times more antioxidants than the grapes. So, start your day with a handful of raisins to keep you energetic throughout the day. You can add them to your breakfast oats or blend in your healthy smoothie as the natural sweetener.
Barley – The antioxidant found in barley is known to increase the immune power. You can soak up barley grains overnight and get them sprouted to double their antioxidant level. To make it more interesting you can mix up some other seeds and grains.
Tomatoes – These bright red fruits that interestingly never go in a fruit salad is full of three types of antioxidants. You can eat them raw if you like eating bowls of salad. But, tomatoes become more nourishing when cooked. Lycopene, the most prominent antioxidant found in tomatoes are best absorbed when they are cooked.
Walnuts – All varieties of nuts are full of antioxidants. But, walnut is considered best because they are cholesterol free and low in sodium. Experts recommend a daily dose of 30-grams of nuts. You can mix the nuts with soaked grains to get a wider range of antioxidants.
Broccoli – Part of the cruciferous vegetable family, broccoli is known for its cancer-fighting antioxidants. The best way to eat broccoli without wasting much of its nutrients is to steam it. Some of the antioxidants of broccoli are best absorbed when cooked while there are others that go wasted if heated more.
Green Tea – With a sip of green tea you bless your body with a range of protective phytochemicals. These antioxidants help fight inflammation and cell damage. The green tea is also known as a good stress buster. And, moreover, they do not give you that high dose of caffeine found in tea and coffee.
By taking care of your diet, you can drastically reduce the number of visits to a doctor. So, eat healthy to stay healthy.