8 Best Fruits For Antioxidants Boost
What are antioxidants and why do we need them? To understand the importance of antioxidants, we must first recognize the threats that our body’s cells face everyday. Whether you realize it or not, the human body is under constant attack of viruses, infections, pollution and other free radicals. These attacks play a part not only in cell or DNA damage, but may also contribute to the aging process, as well as diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease.
Antioxidants are chemicals that can help stop or minimize the damage caused by free radicals. They balance free radicals, keeping them from causing cell damage, and can protect or even reverse some damage. Antioxidants also boost immunity.
Now comes the next important question : where can we get antioxidant-rich foods, the natural way? Well, look no more cause we’ve rounded up 8 of the best fruits and vegetables packed with antioxidants for your health benefits :
1. Blueberries
Ranked number 1 in antioxidants, one cup of blueberries has 13,427 total antioxidants – vitamins A & C, plus flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) like quercetin and anthocyanidin. That’s about 10 times the USDA’s recommendation. Blueberries are also known to help prevent cancer, fight high cholesterol and age-related diseases, and protect your brain and your heart.
2. Strawberries
For another berry rich in antioxidant power, strawberries are an excellent choice. These berries are another one of the most highly concentrated antioxidant fruits. The antioxidants found in strawberries have been shown to fight carcinogens and LDL, cholesterol that is known to cause heart disease.
Strawberries also contain anthocyanins, the antioxidants that protect against cardiovascular diseases. They are also a great source of vitamin C, which protects your body’s cells from free radical damage.
Capfruit – Strawberry Iqf (1Kg) Frozen
3. More Berries
Bring more berries to your meal! Blackberries are rich in antioxidants, but you should also know that they’re packed with polyols, the main component in sugar substitutes which are often blamed for abdominal issues such as gas.
Since we’re still in the berry family, don’t forget to include raspberries and cranberries which are rich in antioxidant ellagic acid known to prevent cancer and treat viral and bacterial infections.
4. Oranges
These sweet fruits are most popular for its abundance in Vitamin C, the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, disarming free radicals and preventing damage to your cells. Vitamin C keeps our immune system in the best shape, preventing colds as well as other infections.
5. Prunes.
Prunes are dried black plums with excellent antioxidants power. According to a study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, black plums have a total of 4873 antioxidants, while dried prunes may pack up to 7291 antioxidants in just half a cup. Prunes can also help boost bone strength, and they taste extra delicious too!
6. Red Grapes
When seeking the optimum antioxidant benefits, go for the red ones! The skin of red grapes is a particularly rich source of an antioxidant called resveratrol, an antioxidant known to fight cancer. It has been known to keep cancer from beginning or spreading.
7. Cherries
Cherries have been touted as the new wonder fruit, and based on their antioxidant content we can see why! Cherries are rich in the flavonoids, isoquercitrin and quercitrin, which act as antioxidants and work to eliminate byproducts of oxidative stress, therefore slowing down the aging process. Cherries are also loaded with Quercitrin, a flavonoid believed to be one of the most potent anticancer agents.
8. Mangoes
Mangoes offer an excellent source of Vitamin A and flavonoids like beta-carotene, alpha-carotene, and beta-cryptoxanthin. Together, these compounds have been known to have antioxidant properties and are helpful in maintaining a healthy vision as well as glowing and radiant skin.
