Antioxidants – the food and nutrition buzzword on everyone’s lips. You’ve probably heard of antioxidants but are maybe unsure of what they are and what it means. They are molecules that are found in natural foods that fight free radicals. Free radicals are pesky little compounds that can cause diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Loading your diet with foods high in antioxidants will improve your free-radical fighting abilities, resulting in a healthier, happier you. Check out our list of antioxidant boosters below.
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Create A Supplement Routine
Supplements can offer a quick and easy solution when you want to add more goodness to your body. Look for vitamins that are high in antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and those with anti-inflammatory properties such as Luma Nutrition Quercetin. Build a morning and evening routine of supplements and your body will thank you.
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Make Smoothies
One of the easiest ways to up your antioxidant consumption is by whizzing up delicious smoothies with food that is rich in these healthy little molecules. Blueberries are an antioxidant hero, and are thought to contain one of the largest amounts of nutrients and antioxidants per gram, specifically packed with a type called anthocyanins, which have been proven to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure and decrease the risk of heart disease. Add a large handful of blueberries into a blender, toss in some strawberries, raspberries and a bunch of kale then top with superfood-status goji berries before mixing and drinking right away. Bonus points if you use red kale, which contains double the amount of antioxidants than the already loaded green variety.
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Drink Wine!
Red wine may seem like an unhealthy treat but it’s actually full of polyphenols, a specific antioxidant that has been linked to protecting the lining blood vessels around the heart. Of course, don’t go overboard on the bottles of cabernet sauvignon, but a glass every few days just might keep the doctor at bay.
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Indulge In Dark Chocolate
Eating well and maintaining your health doesn’t have to be boring with no treats. A bar of dark chocolate with a 70–85% level of cocoa has a huge amount of antioxidants, meaning that a square a day will only improve your wellbeing. Bonus points if your bar is made from unprocessed cocoa beans which have a higher amount of antioxidant flavanols than blueberries per gram!
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Incorporate More Budget Beans
As well as being fantastic for your health, beans and legumes are friendly on your wallet. Fresh green beans are rich in the antioxidant kaempferol which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. It can ease the growth of malignant metastasis, which means that your risk of cancerous cell growth can be minimized. Black beans and kidney beans are super high in antioxidants called saponins which are great for your immune system.
Are you a fan of a high antioxidant diet? Share your best recipes that are high in these supermolecules to inspire other readers.
