Top 10 Antioxidant Foods For Healthy Life

Top 10 Antioxidant Foods For Healthy Life – To know about antioxidant foods we must know how are they helpful. Well, Antioxidants are substances that protect your cells against free radicals, also the free radicals attract chronic diseases and your body can be prone to heart disease, cancer, and many other diseases. Free radicals are known to be the molecules produced when your body breaks down food or when you’re exposed to tobacco smoke or radiation. In the following blog, we have mentioned the list of Top 10 Antioxidant Foods For Healthy Life. 

With the growing pollution, unhealthy lifestyles, and many other things it has become extremely important to include antioxidant rich foods in your diet. Our fast modern lifestyles have invited a lot of chronic diseases to harm us. And health conditions have been increasing with the unhealthy lifestyle followed. However, you can get rid of some chronic diseases by having a diet that is rich in antioxidants. Some of the top foods you can eat are mentioned here:

List of the Top 10 Antioxidant Foods For Healthy Life

• Dark Chocolate

The first on this list is Dark Chocolate. For those who love chocolates, dark chocolate is nutritious. It has more cocoa than regular chocolate, as well as more minerals and antioxidants. The antioxidants in cocoa and dark chocolate have been linked to impressive health benefits such as less inflammation and reduced risk factors for heart disease. Consuming cocoa-rich products like dark chocolate reduces systolic blood pressure by an average of 4.5 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure (the lower value) by an average of 2.5 mmHg.

• Pecans

Pecans are nuts found in Mexico and South America. They can help raise the antioxidant levels in the blood. They are a very good source of Healthy fats and minerals. However, they are also high in calories and that is why one should keep a check on how much proportion is eaten.

• Blueberries

Blueberries are low in calories and rich in nutrients and minerals. They contain a good amount of antioxidants as compared to other fruits and vegetables. Blueberries are among the best sources of antioxidants
in the diet. They are quite rich in anthocyanins and other antioxidants that may help reduce the risk of heart disease and delay the decline in brain function that happens with age.

• Strawberries

Strawberries are among the most popular berries in the world. They are sweet in taste and are versatile and a rich source of vitamin C and antioxidants. Strawberries also contain an acid called anthocyanins, which gives them their red color. Strawberries that have a higher anthocyanin content tend to be a brighter red. They also decrease the risk of heart disease by reducing the level of bad cholesterol and increasing the good cholesterol in the body.

• Artichokes

This is not so common food but is rich in antioxidants. This can surely be added to your diet to increase the antioxidants in the body. They are also a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. Artichokes are especially rich in antioxidants known as chlorogenic acid. The studies reveal that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits of chlorogenic acid can reduce the risk of certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. If you boil artichokes the antioxidant level can increase by 8 times, steaming them can increase it by 15 teams. However, if you fry them it might affect the antioxidant content.

• Goji Berries

Goji Berries are dried fruits. They have been a part of Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. They are very much rich in nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants. An antioxidant known as Lycium barbarum polysaccharides is present in Goji berries which are believed to reduce heart problems, and cancer and also help against skin aging. They are extremely beneficial in raising antioxidant levels in the blood. Although the berries are quite expensive to add in your regular diet.

• Raspberries

Raspberries are soft, tart berries that are often eaten in desserts. They are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and antioxidants. They help in lowering the risk of cancers and heart disease as they are rich in antioxidants. A study, showed that the antioxidants in raspberries killed 90% of stomach, colon and breast cancer cells.

• Kale

Kale is a vegetable and a member of the group of vegetables cultivated from the species Brassica oleracea. Other members include broccoli and cauliflower. It is also a great plant-based source of calcium, an important mineral that helps maintain bone health and plays role in other cellular functions.

• Red cabbage

Red cabbage is also known as purple cabbage, it is rich in vitamins C, K, and A, and has a high antioxidant content. These anthocyanins have been linked to several health benefits. They may reduce inflammation, protect against heart disease, and reduce the risk of certain cancers.

Conclusion

We hope this blog has helped. You can add these foods to your diet and see the difference for yourself. Also, Dietitian Nupur Malhotra is a well known dietitian giving the best diet plans. Contact her for healthy diet plans.