Foods that are high in Antioxidants
While many people take antioxidant supplements to help them avoid having to follow a rigid antioxidant diet, researchers have found that supplements alone will not have the same effect as supplements coupled with foods rich in antioxidants.
What is it about antioxidant foods that is so good for us? These foods contain molecules that, once inside our body's cells, react with "free radicals" and remove them. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules that are highly reactive - that is they will react with many other molecules they come in contact with. When they react with our cells and tissues, they can do grave damage, leading to ill health and disease. It's better if they react with an antioxidant first and get removed from the picture before they can do any damage. This is why it's a good idea to eat lots of foods high in antioxidants, so that you always have lots of antioxidants available when they're needed.
There is sound research now to suggest that foods rich in antioxidants help the body manage free radicals. The best approach to getting enough of them is to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables each day -- try to eat many different colors and textures. If you simply cannot tolerate vegetables, there are antioxidant supplements available to the consumer, like
Juice Plus in easy capsule or gummies form or
Monavie in a juice drink. Choose one from a reputable source and try to find one that is produced from a range of plants and foods high in antioxidants - so you get a range of antioxidant molecules. It is also very important that the source be from living whole food, organic if you can find it. The key about live whole food (raw) is that its phytonutrients (plant nutrients) are still intact and have all of the amino acids and enzymes that work in synergy to rid the body of inflammation and disease in a natural way. Whatever you do, do NOT take supplements or vitamins that are synthetically created. There is a lot of evidence now to suggest that synthetic vitamin and mineral supplements are more harmful than taking none at all.
Foods rich in antioxidants include, in general, the brightly colored fruits and vegetables: leafy greens like kale and spinach, other green vegetables like soybeans, green beans, broccoli and Brussels sprouts, red and yellow vegetables like tomatoes, red bell peppers, carrots and squash, and other things like beets. Fruits that are good antioxidant foods include, again, the fruits with lots of color -- guava, goji, mangosteen, acai berries, pink grapefruit, berries, oranges, plums, grapes, apricots, peaches. Even the dried forms of these fruits are good sources however live raw whole foods are the best source.
DISCLAIMER:
All statements are my personal opinion and are based on my
personal experience and conclusions. This is not to be construed as an approach
to cure, treat or prevent any illness, and is not a substitute for a doctor’s
consultation diagnosis or treatment. “The Statements contained in this publication
have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.” Please consult a health care professional for any medical condition.
