Five Anti-oxidant Rich Foods You Should Add to Your Diet
Five anti-oxidant foods that should be added to your diet for your health.
Anti-Oxidants have recently become one of the many “buzz words” in the health industry but what does this exactly mean? Our bodies are consistently undergoing cellular damage from our lifestyle choices, eating habits, and environmental surroundings. This damage is often caused by what are known as “free-radicals” which, attempt to damage our healthy cells and can lead to more significant problems down the road. But anti-oxidant rich foods, which basically means foods that combat this reaction, can have a real effect on repairing and minimizing the internal damage done to our bodies throughout our lives. Here are five foods that can help us combat these negative reactions.
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Blueberries
These berries pack a potent anti-oxidant punch, having significant amounts of vitamin C and E. I recommend eating 1 cup to 1/2 a cup a day for continued benefits. Since blueberries are only in season for a short time during the summer, when you can’t get them fresh I suggest going to the frozen food section at your local store. Flash Frozen foods often seal in the benefitial effects immediately as fresh foods often lose much of their nutrients making their way from the producer to the consumer.
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Kiwi
This emerald green fruit contains fiber (good for digestion), lutein (good for the eyes), potassium and vitamin E and C. Eating only two kiwi’s a day will give you the daily recommended intake of vitamin C as well. Most groceries carry Kiwi’s all year round and are relatively in-expensive at around $0.60 to $0.80 per one.
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Goji Berries
Goji Berries are grown throughout the world in places like China, Tibet, and even in Pennsylvania. This small dried fruit has a luscious red exterior with a sweet taste and is full of anti-oxidants. They are also high in vitamin A, in the form of beta-carotene, which is especially good for the eyes and skin. Most health food stores carry this delicious snack that can be eaten by itself or sprinkled on oatmeal.
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Almonds
Almonds contain a significant source of magnesium and vitamin E. Magnesium can act as a mood lifting and anti-stress mineral in the body. They can work as a healthy afternoon snack, being low in calories, or can be added from everything to salads and yogurt.
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Broccoli
Broccoli is more know for its bland taste than its health benefits but this cruciferous vegetable carries with it a rich source of vitamins C and A as well as folate. It should be eaten raw or lightly steamed to ensure the important nutrients are not filtered out by excessive heat. Broccoli goes well on the side with a salad or eaten with other vegetables like carrots as a healthy snack. Recent studies have concluded that broccoli may help in the protection against lung cancer, one of the leading and most widely known cancers in the world.
These five foods are sure to have a healthy impact on your diet and help protect you against the harmful effects of our modern environments and unhealthy eating habits.
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