Antioxidants should be at the top of the list when it comes to your health. Most people have heard of antioxidants before and know that they are a good thing, but most people are unaware of just what they are and the health benefits they offer.
Antioxidant are very important, anyone concerned about their health should be aware of them. An antioxidant is a molecule that is capable of slowing or even completely preventing the oxidation of other molecules, namely free radicals which are dangerous in the body and which can actually end up doing damage to the body.
In other words, an antioxidant is something that helps by slowing down or preventing oxidation in the body and this can be very beneficial for the health in a number of different ways. They can make a very positive contribution to your health and improve your general state of health and well being.
They can also provide other benefits, such as to your hair and skin, and so consuming foods that are high in antioxidants is obviously one of the best things that you can do for your health.
Where to Find Antioxidants
There a few different types of antioxidants, these include Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin E (tocopherols, tocotrienols), Polyphenolic antioxidants (resveratrol, flavonoids) and Carotenoids (lycopene, carotenes).
High levels of Vitamin C and/or Carotenoids are found in fruits and vegetables. There is actually quite a variety of different of different fruits that contain antioxidants and this includes cherries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, crowberries, blueberries, wild blueberries, black currants, pomegranates, grapes, oranges, plums, pineapples, kiwi fruits, and grapefruits.
Vegetables such as kale, chili pepper, red cabbage, peppers, parsley, artichoke, Brussels sprouts, spinach, lemon, ginger and red beets, dry fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, and cereals are all high in antioxidants as well.
Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils such as soybean, palm, olive and sunflower.
Green tea is reportedly contains the highest concentration of polyphenolic antioxidants, but these can also be found in coffee, soy, fruit, olive oil, chocolate (especially dark chocolate), oregano and red wine.
You can speak to your doctor or nutritionist for more information, and to get a better idea of which foods contain the highest levels of antioxidants so you can increase your intake of these foods in your diet and ensure your optimum health.