Antioxidants are massively praised for the nutritional and physical boost that they can give to our diets and lifestyles…but there’s also some confusion around what they actually are and what their role is.
Luckily, we have you covered with our guide on what they are, the rewards that you can reap from an antioxidant rich diet and some delicious food sources that can provide our bodies with antioxidants in abundance!
Antioxidants Are Amazing….But What Actually Are They?
Well, it’s all in the name – ANTI-OXIDENTS…to put it into the simplest of terms, antioxidants are molecules that our bodies create with the purpose of protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals.
Now, you may be asking what on earth free radicals are…though their name is pretty epic, free radicals certainly aren’t…they’re actually pretty destructive. Free radicals are oxygen-containing unstable atoms that can cause an array of unwanted issues, such as cell damage, illness and aging problems.
In small amounts, free radicals can actually support our bodies with protection against disease, however, high levels can impact the body in a really harmful way. With this in mind, it becomes clear just how beneficial antioxidant-rich foods can be for us.
So, in response to answering what antioxidants actually are, they are molecules that protect our bodies and support good health through neutralising free radicals. Antioxidants are naturally formed in our bodies, but they can also be obtained through food!
Keep reading as we explore the perks of a diet that’s high in antioxidants, as well as some delicious food sources which deliver both taste and antioxidants!
The Health Benefits Of Antioxidants
As mentioned, antioxidants can be gained from food sources, but what are some actual health benefits of a diet that’s antioxidant rich? We know that antioxidants play a key role in combatting cellular damage, but their powers do not stop there!
Let’s take a look at some other benefits that antioxidants can bless us with!
Oxidated tissue can be really harmful to our immune system- with this in consideration, antioxidants can be great at effectively fighting off free radicals that could cause potential damage to the functioning of our immune system.
Antioxidants have been linked with defending our health from problems which arise with aging. Scientific studies have suggested that the antioxidants, ascorbic acid and vitamin E, can be beneficial in combating cognitive issues that are associated with aging, such as memory loss.
Recent scientific evidence has suggested that antioxidant vitamins appear to play a crucial role in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease. The antioxidants, vitamin E and lycopene are also known for supporting us through reducing damage to blood cells.
That’s right, there’s a link between glowing skin and antioxidant-rich foods! Free radicals on the skin can cause skin damage and breakage. Antioxidants can facilitate defence against this through counteracting the potential damage caused by free radical production!
LBL’s Top 10 Foods That Are High In Antioxidants
The benefits of antioxidants are countless, but what are some delicious foods that can boost your antioxidant intake?
Broccoli is an all-round super food! Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant vitamin that our bodies cannot naturally produce, making its intake super important. When it comes to vitamin C rich vegetables, broccoli ranks very highly. Broccoli can also provide us with the antioxidant, Lutein- this antioxidant is linked with eyesight protection!
2. Dark Chocolate
Here’s one for the chocolate lovers! Dark chocolate goes beyond offering a sophisticated chocolate indulgence experience, it’s also significantly high in antioxidants! Consuming food sources like dark chocolate that’re cocoa-rich has actually been linked with reducing blood pressure and other factors that’re related to heart disease.
Blueberries are super potent when it comes to their antioxidant content! Blueberries are rich in the antioxidants, polyphenol and flavonoid – not only do they effectively support the fight against free radical production, they also support the body with regenerating the levels of other various vitamins within the body.
This delicious vegetable is absolutely packed with health-boosting vitamins and antioxidants! Artichokes are high in the antioxidant, chlorogenic acid- scientific studies have suggested that this antioxidant carries profound anti-inflammatory benefits which can reduce the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Kale is a nutrient dense vegetable and is one of the healthiest options on offer if wholesome greens are what you’re after! Kale is significantly rich in vitamins A, C and K as well antioxidants. The nutrients in kale can be especially beneficial for maintaining healthy cellular functioning and bone health.
6. Red Cabbage
Like kale, red cabbage also contains high levels of antioxidants alongside vitamins A, C and K! An antioxidant that’s contained significantly within red cabbage is anthocyanin- this antioxidant has been linked with improving heart health through reducing inflammation and protecting the heart from the risk of certain cancers as well as heart disease.
Beetroot is rich in the antioxidants, Betalain, Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Betalain gives beetroot its rich and deep purple colour- molecules of this antioxidant are actually associated with reducing the risk of colon cancer. The antioxidants, Lutein and Zeaxanthin additionally provide protection for our eyesight.
8. Green Tea
To read about the full range of benefits that green tea has to offer, check out our blog!= LBL’s Guide To Green Tea – The Profound Health Benefits Of Green Tea. Green tea contains flavonoids, an antioxidant that works to combat oxidative stress. Green tea consumption has also been associated with lowering cholesterol as well as supporting gut health.
In addition to being high in antioxidants, pecans are also rich in healthy fats and essential minerals! Studies have suggested that the intake of pecans can be connected with a fall in oxidized blood levels. Pecans have also been linked with reducing cholesterol levels.
Salmon is a seafood super food! Salmon contains a plentiful amount of the antioxidant, astaxanthin. It’s this antioxidant which gives salmon its beautiful pink colour. Astaxanthin has actually been associated with lowering the risk of both heart disease as well as the risk of elevated cholesterol levels. Moreover, salmon also contains high amounts of omega-3 which is great for protecting the nervous system from inflammation.
The Bottom Line
Our nutritional intake determines a lot…what we put into our bodies can really impact many areas of our life, from our mental wellbeing, to our physical health, to our internal functioning.
Antioxidant-rich and nutrient-dense foods can have great impact on our lives- not only do they help to fight cellular damage but they also bring with them an array of health boosting benefits!