Antioxidant Foods
The lack of antioxidants in our body can cause various diseases and lead to significant damage to our body. Antioxidants protect the body from harmful free radical created by oxidation and works as a scavenger, sweeping them up before they can wreak havoc on our body. Boosting body’s defense mechanism with natural antioxidant foods can go a long way in reducing the chances of many serious diseases like cancers, high blood pressure and slows down the process of aging.
There are many foods that are rich in natural antioxidants. Here are few of them:
Berries
Berries are loaded with minerals, vitamins, fiber and healing antioxidants. Especially blueberries, blackberries and raspberries contain proanthocyanidins antioxidant that can reduce the chances of heart disease and cancer. Strawberries and black berries contain ellagic acid which can combat carcinogens. Blueberries can slow down the process of aging.
There are many interesting ways to add this food to your regular meal. You can add them to salads, yogurt, eat strawberries adding honey and black pepper or add them to many other dishes.
Broccoli
Broccoli and some other vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage and brussels sprouts can prevent heart diseases and cancer. The antioxidant present in these vegetables breaks down estrogen in our body and reduces the chances of estrogen sensitive cancer like cervix and ovary cancer and also breast cancer. Broccoli also contains beta-carotene which can greatly reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease.
There are numerous ways to cook these vegetables. They can be steamed, grilled or baked as per your taste.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes boost our immune system because they contain antioxidant glutathione. Tomatoes also contain lycopene which prevents breast, lung and colon cancer. Cooked tomatoes are more preferable as heat allows more antioxidant to be available. Tomatoes can be used to prepare different dishes and vegetables, pasta or eaten as salad.
Garlic
This medicinal and culinary herb is a great source of antioxidants and can protect us from diseases like cancer and heart diseases. It can lower cholesterol level, reduce blood pressure, and promote blood clotting. Garlic contains anti-fungal properties which help to treat yeast infection and asthma.
Spinach
Spinach contains lutein which is very effective in protecting vision. Eating spinach can prevent you from developing cataracts and heart disease.
Carrots
Carrots are full of antioxidant beta-carotene. Sweet potato, beet and other yellow orange vegetables also contain this antioxidant and protect us from lung cancer, stomach, breast and bladder cancer. Cooked carrots contain higher level of anti-oxidant because heat makes them available by breaking down the active compounds.
