Whether your goal is to lose weight or just have a healthier way of living, foods which are rich in antioxidants is the number one ingredient that you should not miss out on. Basically, what foods rich in antioxidants do is that they stop free radicals from damaging your body. As such, it does pay to know which foods contain a high level of antioxidants so that you would know which items to pile on your grocery cart.
Let us take a look at the top foods which are your best source of antioxidants:
1. Green Tea
Instead of gulping in the dose of caffeine that you need to function properly in the morning, why don’t you substitute it with green tea? Sure, coffee beans also have antioxidant content, but green tea has more. This beverage is a staple drink in most Asian countries, and for good reason. Green tea has a lot of benefits to your health which includes containing a high level of antioxidants that help fight off free radical damage in your body.
2. Berries
Almost every member of the berry family is a great source of antioxidants, but there is one particular variant which is considered to be a superfood because of its potent antioxidant content. It is none other than Acai berries which are found in the Amazonian forests of Brazil. But even if you cannot find Acai berry products in your local health stores, you can still have the dose of antioxidants that you need with blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and strawberries.
3. Dark Chocolates
Surprisingly enough, sinful dark chocolates should not be a guilty pleasure because they do have benefits for your health. Dark chocolates are a great source of antioxidants like Flavonols, a type of Flavonoid, Procyanidins, Epicatechins and Catechins.
4. Fruits
Other than berries, the fruits which contain a good level of antioxidants include prunes, raisins, plums, oranges, red grapes and cherries. These fruits have a high ORAC level or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity – which is a more complicated way of saying that they are rich in antioxidants.
5. Vegetables
Finally, you should pile up these veggies on your grocery cart the next time you go shopping for fresh produce: kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, Alfalfa sprouts, broccoli flowers, beets, onions, corn, eggplants and red bell peppers.
By combining these food items rich in antioxidants with complex carbohydrates and proteins, you can have a balanced diet that will lead to your having a healthy body.
Thomas B. Chuong is currently writing about topics related to home improvement & decor, personal fitness, and home & garden. Find out more by visiting these sites Grill, and Air Purifier.