Antioxidant compounds help to prevent cell damage. If you eat them in a large amount, it will also help the body defend against oxidative stress. It can be created when free radicals build up in our blood.
Oxidative stress increases the chance of heart disease, cancer, and many other health problems.
Many foods contain antioxidants. If someone eats those foods regularly, it will increase the antioxidant level in their body.
As a result, it will help them to prevent oxidative stress and keep their cells healthy.
This article will discuss the top 10 antioxidant foods, which we should eat to prevent cell damage.
Top 10 Antioxidant Foods You Should Stock Up On
1. Dark Chocolate
If you love chocolate much, then Dark Chocolate is a good choice for you. Dark chocolate is a great source of nutrients.
It contains more cocoa than any other regular chocolate. It also provides our body with antioxidants and minerals.
Dark chocolate has more than 15 mmol of antioxidants in 100 grams. This is more than raspberries and blueberries.
It also benefits our health by reducing changes in heart disease. Moreover, cocoa-rich products such as dark chocolate reduce blood pressure.
2. Pecans
Pecans are a kind of nut found in South America and Mexico. It’s full of fats, minarets, and a high amount of antioxidants.
Pecans contain 10.6 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams. They are also rich in calories.
What’s more, pecans raise antioxidant levels in the blood. So, we should not eat too much of it because we need to avoid consuming too many calories. It’s not good for our health.
3. Blueberries
Although blueberries are not rich in calories, they are fully packed with nutrients and antioxidants. According to research, blueberries have up to 9.2 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams.
Moreover, many people believe that blueberries contain the highest antioxidants of all fruits and vegetables we regularly eat.
There is a unique antioxidant in blueberries called anthocyanins; it’s scientifically proven to reduce heart diseases, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
4. Strawberries
Strawberries are one of the most popular and delicious berries in the world. They are versatile, sweet, and rich in vitamin C and antioxidants.
Strawberries provide us 5.4 mmol from 100 grams. Strawberries are red because of an antioxidant called anthocyanins.
What’s more, resources have shown that this type of antioxidant reduces the level of bad cholesterol and reduces the risk of heart problems.
It’s also delicious and healthy for us.
5. Artichokes
Artichokes are a very popular vegetable. They are both nutritious and delicious. But it’s a matter of sorrow that it is not very popular in North America.
You will be glad to hear that artichokes are a great source of nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants. Artichokes contain 4.7 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams.
There is a specialty of artichokes. Artichokes contain a unique type of antioxidant called chlorogenic acid. It reduces the risk of cancer and heart diseases.
Boiling artichokes increases their antioxidants by eight times. On the other hand, if you fry them, their antioxidants will reduce.
6. Goji Berries
This is another well-known berry. These berries are dried fruits of two plants. They are Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense.
For the last 2000 years, they have been a part of traditional Chinese medicine. These goji berries are also called a superfood because they are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Goji berries provide us 4.3 mmol of antioxidants per 3.5 ounces (100 grams). They are also popular for an antioxidant known as Lycium barbarum polysaccharide.
It protects our hearts from many diseases. But these berries are very expensive.
7. Raspberries
These are soft and tart berries used in desserts. They are filled with fiber, manganese, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Raspberries contain more than 4 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams.
These batteries lower the risk of cancer, and black raspberries slow down the effects of cancer.
Moreover, the antioxidants in raspberries reduce oxidative stress as well as heart diseases.
So, it is good for our bodies to consume them daily. We can take them for breakfast to start a healthy day.
8. Kale
Kale is a very popular and healthy vegetable. This is one of the most nutritious vegetables in the world. It is full of vitamins A, C, K, and antioxidants.
They have 2.7 mmol per 100 grams. However, red Russian kale contains almost twice as many antioxidants. It’s also a vital source of calcium and minerals.
9. Red Cabbage
Red cabbage, also known as purple cabbage, is a nutritious food. It’s filled with rich vitamins and high antioxidants.
They provide 2.2 mmol of antioxidants per 100 grams. It’s four times more antioxidants than regular cabbage. Because it has anthocyanin, they reduce the risk of cancer.
10. Beans
Beans are healthy and inexpensive vegetables. They are rich in fiber. Some beans contain a unique antioxidant called kaempferol.
This antioxidant has some impressive health benefits. It suppresses cancer growth. Because of being inexpensive, everyone can afford it.
If we eat them regularly, then our body will not lack antioxidants.
Conclusion
Our body naturally makes antioxidants. But we can easily get them from food. Free radicals in our bodies promote oxidative stress, which raises the risk of heart diseases and may cause cancer.
Eating foods rich in antioxidants helps us to neutralize free radicals.
We have provided the Top 10 Antioxidant Foods, which you can eat every day. These are inexpensive.
So almost everyone can afford them. By eating them, you can keep your heart free from diseases.