Consuming more antioxidant-rich foods such as fruits and vegetables can prevent oxidative stress, which is caused by oxygen making contact with cells, this is also known as free radicals. Free radicals damage cells they come in contact with by destabilizing them. Once the free radicals begin to attack proteins, fats and DNA the damage to the cells begin to cause occurrences of various diseases and also speeds up the aging process. By increasing your antioxidant intake you can avoid free radicals and the damage they cause to cells.
Choose foods and beverages that are scientifically proven to consist of powerful antioxidants. By opting for antioxidant rich foods you will help to stabilize free radicals and repair the damage they caused to the cells. Antioxidants can be found in various vitamins and minerals or other organic compounds.
Eat your fruit. Choose fruits shown to be rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Some great options for antioxidant rich fruits are strawberries, cherries, honeydew melons, raspberries, figs, papaya, kiwi and nectarines— just to name a few.
Pile on the veggies. Consuming raw vegetables are an excellent way of getting the maximum dose of antioxidants into your diet. There are a variety of delicious antioxidant packed vegetables like eggplants, squash, sweet potatoes, broccoli, kale, spinach, zucchini and snow peas. When choosing vegetables look for colorful vegetables that are in season—your local farmer’s market is a great place to start.
Go fishing. Choose heart-healthy fish such as, wild caught salmon which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, proteins and antioxidants. There are a variety of fish readily available at your local fish market or whole foods store, choose wild caught fish like haddock, flounder, grouper and salmon to get a great intake of antioxidants. Adding extra virgin olive oil to the fish during preparation or cooking is another great way to increase your antioxidant intake.
Relax with a cup of green tea. Green tea has been shown to provide a refreshing amount of antioxidants in one cup. Red wine is yet another beverage that, if drank in moderation, provides a wonderful serving of rich antioxidants and minerals. Also consider drink a glass of grape juice with no added sugars. It contains heart healthy vitamins and antioxidants as well.