Antioxidants are a category of nutrients found in food that are known to avert or slow the effects of oxidative injury in our bodies. Processes in our bodies that make use of oxygen cause oxidative damage. While oxygen is required for life when our bodies cells use oxygen free radicals are formed. Free radicals are a molecule that is lacking one or more electrons. Free radicals are exceedingly unstable and can cause many problems within our bodies.

Antioxidants essentially come in and contribute the absent electron to the free radical thus stabilizing it and preventing added damage. Antioxidants are opulent in many of the foods found in nature and including high antioxidant foods can help us to put off many of the tribulations of aging and prevent diseases such as heart and cardiovascular disease and cancers by enhancing our own immune system.

Berries are some of the supreme antioxidant foods in the world. Blueberries, blackberries, cranberries and grapes and cherries are all exceedingly high in antioxidants. Food is calculated for antioxidant aptitude by what is called the ORAC or Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity scale. All of the berries have a very high ORAC level but the concrete food that has the highest ORAC level is the acai berry. There are a few things that rank above the acai berry on the ORAC scale such as ground cloves and ground cinnamon but none are in reality foods but instead spices and such. The acai berry surpasses every other tangible food.

Fruits that have a elevated level of antioxidants include the citrus type, orange, grapefruit and lemons and many of the more tropical fruits such as kiwi, mango and papaya. Apples, pears and plums are also outstanding.

Many of the familiar vegetables are enormously high in antioxidants. Spinach, Kale, Swiss chard, dandelion greens and other greens are exceptional, along with the cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

The orange foods are great in beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. Pumpkins, carrots, sweet potatoes and squash provide ample amounts of this critical nutrient. Beta-carotene is best provided by diet as supplements have been found to cause troubles, particularly in smokers.

A multi-colored diet is the most excellent way to receive an profuse supply of antioxidants. The deep and vibrantly colored foods from nature provide the utmost concentration of antioxidants. Oranges from pumpkins, carrots and sweet potatoes, deep purples and red from the berries and greens from spinach and cruciferous vegetables and red tomatoes and watermelon are all clues to high antioxidant matter.

Research continues on antioxidants but it is showing increasingly more advantages for our wellbeing. Improved immune function can thwart disease like cancers and heart disease and also stop common ailments associated with aging such as macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s disease.

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