Boost your intake of antioxidants! The best way to do that is by diversifying your food intake. Here, we go through them one by one and find out why they’re so important for us. You’ll also know where to find them too!
The following is a list of different kinds of antioxidants and foods that are high in each.
1. Allium sulphur compounds
beneficial in preventing blood platelets from sticking or clumping together to form clots and also, in lowering blood triglyceride and total cholesterol. Foods rich in it: Leeks, onions, garlic
2. Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are the pigments that give certain foods their rich, vivid colors. They work hard in fighting free radicals and may offer anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, and anti-cancer benefits too. You’ll find anthocyanins in foods like eggplant, grapes and berries.
3. Beta carotene
In our body, beta-carotene converts into vitamin A (retinol), we we need for eye health and better vision. It’s also useful in building a stronger immune system, and for healthy skin and mucous membranes. You’ll find the beta carotene you need in pumpkins, mangoes, apricots, carrots, spinach and parsley.
4. Catechins
A disease-fighting flavonoid and antioxidant, which is the main reason behind the health benefits of teas, especially green tea. It is a natural and powerful antioxidant that helps prevent cell damage. You’ll find them abundant in red wine and as mentioned earlier, teas.
5. Cryptoxanthins
Cryptoxanthin, or beta cryptoxanthin, has several important functions in the body, especially in antioxidant defense and cell-to-cell communication. Beta-cryptoxanthin is also a precursor of vitamin A, which is an essential nutrient needed for eyesight, growth, development and immune response. You can get it from aming sure you eat foods like red peppers, pumpkin and mangoes.
6. Flavonoids
There are five basic categories of flavonoids including flavonols, flavan-3-ols, flavones, flavonones, and anthocyanidins and they are best known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory health benefits as well as the support of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. You can find them in tea, green tea, red wine, citrus fruits, onions as well as apples.
7. Copper & Zinc
Copper and zinc work together to help activate the enzyme copper-zinc superoxide dismutase, also called CuZnSOD. This enzyme serves as an antioxidant. Getting enough copper and zinc helps ensure that you can effectively clear away reactive oxygen species, so that your cells can continue to function properly. Foods rich in copper and zinc include seafood, lean meat, milk, nuts and legumes.
