Top 10 Antioxidant Foods | Care2 Healthy Living

In psychology, “putting up walls” is a common phrase for the brain’s coping mechanism to avoid getting emotionally hurt. Physiologically, the same thing happens when antioxidants put up walls to prevent the body’s cells from getting hurt.

While it might seem like antioxidants have become a trendy marketing buzzword, they’re actually powerful soldiers, helpful in staving off diseases by preventing cellular damage that could open up the risk for degenerative disorders.

They’re fast becoming a concentrated area of study by medical professionals and scientists for this very reason. Here, we get to the heart of what they are good for, and explain how to really thrive by getting more of them from the foods you eat.

ANTIOXIDANTS ARE THE BODY’S SELF-DEFENSE

Antioxidants are a classified group of various vitamins, minerals, and other natural compounds found in food and supplements that are known for their ability to fight and eradicate harmful free radicals in the body.

Free radicals are a group of unstable atoms that are a byproduct of oxidation, which results in the loss of electrons. This happens during very natural processes like when the body breaks down food for energy, or even just breathing air every day. It can also happen as a result of environmental pollutants and sun exposure.

If left to roam in the body, free radicals can actually attack DNA, manipulating the coding in the strands, and also deteriorate cell membranes, opening them up to exposure to toxins that can result in a greater risk for disease. This also means cells may not function properly, or even die off.

One of the most important lines of self-defense against this process is intaking a good number of antioxidant-rich foods every day that can cut off the oxidation process and prevent cell damage, which will ultimately keep you healthy.

A CLOSER LOOK AT WHAT ANTIOXIDANTS DO TO BENEFIT THE BODY

The antioxidant defense mechanism translates into many positive outcomes. Though the research is ongoing, there have already been discoveries of the tangible ways it pays off.

First and foremost, antioxidants can help manage and prevent diseases. Degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, arthritis, and macular degeneration (when the retina deteriorates, causing reduced vision) can be greatly reduced by antioxidants since they keep cells strong that might otherwise break down and be susceptible.

Lab studies have also shown that antioxidants might be able to help combat the free radicals that are known to cause cancer.

Some studies show that one antioxidant in particular, vitamin E, reduces the risk of heart attack.

TOP 10 ANTIOXIDANT-RICH FOODS

In addition to vitamin E, the most active form of antioxidants include beta-carotene and vitamin C, as well as selenium. The best sources of all of these is found in fruit and vegetables, as seen in this list, which is almost exclusively made up of plant-based materials.

Blueberries

Blueberries are considered a superfruit for their wide range of benefits, including boosts to brainpower. Part of this lies in the fact that they contain anthocyanin, which is a flavonoid that’s considered to have potent antioxidant capacity. Here are just some of the ways blueberries (particularly wild blueberries) can do the body good.

• Blueberries have a low glycemic index, so even though they taste sweet, eating them won’t cause blood sugar spikes

• They’re known as brain food because they have been seen to help improve memory function and delay cognitive degeneration caused by aging

Eat up: Fresh or frozen, in breakfast or dessert, blueberries are versatile and tasty. Try this Purple Pinole Breakfast Bowl to get your fill; along with blueberries, this hot-cereal is full of raspberries and blackberries, which also make our list of the top 10 antioxidant-rich foods.

Raspberries

Raspberries also take a top spot in the list of most antioxidant-rich foods—they contain a good dose of vitamin C and anthocyanin (a plant compound that acts as a pigment and is recognized as disease-fighting).

But the real heart of raspberries’ power lies in ellagitannins and ellagic acid, which have been studied for how they might destroy cancer cells by causing apoptosis (or normal cellular death). In other words, they prevent cells from over-dividing or functioning beyond their lifespan, which is normally a ripe environment for cancer.

Eat up: Raspberry-Coconut Ice Cream is a cool and flavorful treat where this fruit is the star. This homemade ice cream is super easy to make, with frozen berries and rich coconut cream as well as maple syrup and cacao nibs. All you need is a high-speed blender and five minutes of time to make it perfect.

Prunes

Plums are a juicy and sweet summertime favorite. Dry them out, and what’s left is the still-sweet prune. Their sticky texture and sweet flavor makes them seem more like gummy candy than a food that’s good for you. However, prunes are well-known for relieving constipation, and they’re also another great source of antioxidants, particularly because they contain a polyphenolic compound called hydroxycinnamic acid.

Hydroxycinnamic acid terrorizes free radicals by scavenging them. In other words, hydroxycinnamic acid seeks out and drastically destabilizes the structure of free radical cells, donating its own hydrogen or electron molecule to the free radical, and therefore destroying it.

Eat up: While prunes are enjoyable all by themselves, there are some other creative ways to use them. Sauté them with bitter greens or quinoa to cut some of the tanginess or puree them for a sauce. You can also make a pb&j sandwich replacing the jelly with prunes, or chop them up and add to ground beef for a better burger.

Tea

Tea gets its own antioxidant punch from polyphenols, micronutrients that have been seen to help prevent degenerative diseases like cancer. Lab studies show that the antioxidants in green tea in particular may be able to protect against multiple forms of cancer, including skin, lung, colon, breast, pancreatic, and liver cancer.

These same studies show that drinking green tea might help some people protect against high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and high cholesterol. Black tea shares many of these free radical–fighting properties, but green tea has been studied more thoroughly.

Drink up: Go green with a box of mint sencha green tea or some jasmine green tea with breakfast or anytime you need a pick-me-up. Another tasty option is matcha, which is a powdered form of green tea that can be mixed with milk for a tasty latte alternative.

Cranberries

According to a USDA study, cranberries are one of the most antioxidant-rich foods. They not only offer vitamins C and E but also selenium, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins. So, don’t save them just for Thanksgiving, but rather eat all year-round to help protect against UTIs, inflammation of the cardiovascular system, and several types of cancers.

Eat up: Buy cranberries frozen or dried, and bake into muffins, add to cereal, or prepare a side dish. One unique idea is Turkey-Sage Meatballs with Spaghetti Squash. Cranberries support this dish with sharp flavor that livens up the ground turkey and provides a bright balance to the sage.

Walnuts

Almonds usually get a lot of credit for being healthy, leaving the mighty walnut overlooked, which is unfortunate since it has the highest number of polyphenols of any nut. Walnuts work hard to make sure the body functions like it’s supposed to; they’ve been studied for various influences, including:

• Reducing inflammation throughout the body

• Improving the overall lipid profile, which includes triglycerides and total cholesterol

Eat up: Pack a bag with you for an afternoon snack, and add in some dried cranberries (also on this list), coconut flakes, and carob chips for a DIY trail mix. You can also get the day started right with hearty Morning Glory Muffins—made with walnuts, banana muffin mix, sunflower seeds, and healthful spices, they offer fiber, protein, and just enough sweetness to make this breakfast feel like a real treat.

Black beans

You know what they say, “Beans, beans, they’re good for your heart…” And it couldn’t be more true. Several types make this list, including black beans, which contain a good dose of anti-inflammatory phytonutrients (or plant-based nutrients, including our old pal ellagic acid). These compounds are believed to reduce the risk of colon cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. They’re also high in protein and fiber.

Eat up: While standard ways are to enjoy them refried as a side dish, or added whole to tacos, salads, and soups, there’s also a ton of other options. Try some black bean brownie recipes, or add a spoonful to smoothies (just mask the taste with some cacao powder).

Red beans and kidney beans

Red beans and kidney beans take the healthy momentum from black beans and run with it. One study found that just a half-cup of red beans has a combination of 13,727 antioxidants, while the same serving size of kidney beans offers 13,259.

Part of what makes these types of beans so effective is their high flavonoid content. Flavonoids are plant-based compounds that have been studied for a range of positive benefits, like:

• Alleviating eczema
• Reducing symptoms of allergies and asthma
• Acting as an antiviral agent
• Reducing the risk of cancer

Eat up: Excellent in chili, stews, and Sloppy Joes, red and kidney beans still have all the protein and fiber of black beans, with a rich, meaty texture that makes them even more delicious.

Blackberries

One more berry sneaks onto this list—the juicy and powerful blackberry. Blackberries get their superpowers from anthocyanins, the pigment that gives them their distinctive color, and also seen as an antioxidant with a variety of influences on the human body, like helping curtail hypertension.

Whole grains

No need to give up your favorite breads, pasta, and crackers—if they’re made with whole grains that is. Whole grains have the same polyphenol components that make tea and walnuts so healthy. They’re also filled with fiber and protein for extra nutrients. Reach for whole grain options when you are craving carbs and satisfy your hunger while doing good for your body, too.

Eat up: Start the day (or end it) with Apple Pie Overnight Oats. Smooth and creamy whole-grain oats pair wonderfully with crisp apple and spicy cinnamon, making this a meal that tastes like dessert but is just as good for breakfast.

Reposted with permission from Thrive Market.

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Photo Credit: Thrive Market

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