Antioxidant rich snack options -
Antioxidants are compounds made in the body and found in food that help defend cells from free radicals , which can cause oxidative stress and increase the chance of developing various chronic diseases.
Eating a diet rich in antioxidants increases blood antioxidant levels to reduce oxidative stress and disease risk. Here are the top 14 healthy foods that are high in antioxidants. Lucky for chocolate lovers, dark chocolate is nutritious. It has more cocoa than regular chocolate, as well as more minerals and antioxidants.
Moreover, the antioxidants in cocoa and dark chocolate have been linked to impressive health benefits such as decreased inflammation and reduced risk factors for heart disease.
Learn about the health benefits of dark chocolate. Pecans are a type of nut native to North America. They are a good source of healthy fats and minerals, plus contain a high amount of antioxidants.
In addition, pecans can help raise antioxidant levels in the blood and may help reduce cholesterol, which is a risk factor for heart disease. That said, although pecans are a great source of healthy fats , they are also high in calories.
Learn about the health benefits of pecans. Although they are low in calories, blueberries are packed with nutrients and antioxidants. Research from test-tube and animal studies has shown that the antioxidants in blueberries may delay aging-related decline in brain function by neutralizing harmful free radicals, reducing inflammation, and altering the expression of certain genes.
Additionally, the antioxidants in blueberries , especially anthocyanins, have been shown to reduce risk factors for heart disease, and lower both LDL cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Learn about the health benefits of blueberries.
Strawberries are sweet, versatile, and rich in vitamin C. They also contain a lot of the antioxidant anthocyanin , which gives them their red color. Research has shown that anthocyanins may help reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing levels of LDL bad cholesterol and raising HDL good cholesterol.
Learn about the health benefits of strawberries. Artichokes are a great source of dietary fiber, minerals, and antioxidants. They are especially rich in an antioxidant known as chlorogenic acid, which may help reduce the risk of certain cancers, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
That said, the antioxidant content of artichokes can vary depending on how they are prepared. Learn about the health benefits of artichokes.
Goji berries are often marketed as a superfood because they are rich in vitamins and minerals. Goji berries also contain unique antioxidants known as Lycium barbarum polysaccharides, which have been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer. Moreover, there is limited research on the effects of goji berries on humans.
Though these support their health benefits, more human-based research is needed. Learn about the health benefits of goji berries.
Raspberries are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. A review of five studies also concluded that the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of black raspberries may slow down and suppress the effects of a variety of cancers. Plus, the antioxidants in raspberries, especially anthocyanins, may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
This may reduce the chance of developing heart disease. That said, most of the evidence for the health benefits of raspberries is from test-tube studies, so more human-focused research is needed.
Learn about the health benefits of raspberries. Kale is one of the most nutritious greens on the planet and is rich in calcium, and vitamins A, K, and C. This is because red varieties of kale contain more anthocyanin antioxidants as well as several other antioxidants that give them their vibrant color.
Learn about the health benefits of kale. For example, there are eight chemical forms of vitamin E present in foods. However, vitamin E supplements typically only include one form, alpha-tocopherol.
Epidemiological prospective studies show that higher intakes of antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and legumes are associated with a lower risk of chronic oxidative stress-related diseases like cardiovascular diseases , cancer, and deaths from all causes.
The following are nutrients with antioxidant activity and the foods in which they are found:. Excessive free radicals contribute to chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, cognitive decline, and vision loss. Keep in mind that most of the trials conducted have had fundamental limitations due to their relatively short duration and inclusion of people with existing disease.
At the same time, abundant evidence suggests that eating whole in fruits , vegetables , and whole grains —all rich in networks of naturally occurring antioxidants and their helper molecules—provides protection against many scourges of aging.
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In , a rating tool called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity ORAC was created by scientists from the National Institute on Aging and the United States Department of Agriculture USDA. It was used to measure the antioxidant capacity of foods. The USDA provided an ORAC database on its website highlighting foods with high ORAC scores, including cocoa, berries, spices, and legumes.
Blueberries and other foods topping the list were heavily promoted in the popular press as disease-fighters even if the science was weak, from cancer to brain health to heart disease.
However, 20 years later the USDA retracted the information and removed the database after determining that antioxidants have many functions, not all of which are related to free radical activity. Although this was not a primary endpoint for the trial, it nevertheless represents an important outcome.
In the Heart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation HOPE trial, the rates of major cardiovascular events were essentially the same in the vitamin E A recent trial of vitamin E in Israel, for example, showed a marked reduction in coronary heart disease among people with type 2 diabetes who have a common genetic predisposition for greater oxidative stress.
In the Supplementation en Vitamines et Mineraux Antioxydants SU. MAX study, 13, French men and women took a single daily capsule that contained mg vitamin C, 30 mg vitamin E, 6 mg beta-carotene, mcg selenium, and 20 mg zinc, or a placebo, for seven and a half years.
The vitamins had no effect on overall rates of cardiovascular disease. Lung disease A study from the Journal of Respiratory Research found that different isoforms of vitamin E called tocopherols had opposing effects on lung function. Cancer When it comes to cancer prevention, the picture remains inconclusive for antioxidant supplements.
MAX randomized placebo-controlled trial showed a reduction in cancer risk and all-cause mortality among men taking an antioxidant cocktail low doses of vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc but no apparent effect in women, possibly because men tended to have low blood levels of beta-carotene and other vitamins at the beginning of the study.
Age-related eye disease A six-year trial, the Age-Related Eye Disease Study AREDS , found that a combination of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, and zinc offered some protection against the development of advanced age-related macular degeneration, but not cataracts, in people who were at high risk of the disease.
However, relatively short trials of lutein supplementation for age-related macular degeneration have yielded conflicting findings.
The study found that people taking the vitamins were less likely to progress to late-stage AMD and vision loss. However, the study authors noted that taking lutein and zeaxanthin alone or vitamin E alone did not have a beneficial effect on these eye conditions.
The Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial SELECT Eye Endpoints Study, which followed 11, men for a mean of five years, did not find that vitamin E and selenium supplements, in combination or alone, protected from age-related cataracts.
It did not find that antioxidant supplements of vitamin E or selenium, alone or in combination, protected against dementia compared with a placebo. Early death A meta-analysis of 68 antioxidant supplement trials found that taking beta-carotene and vitamin A and E supplements increased the risk of dying.
It was also difficult to compare interventions because the types of supplements, the dosages taken, and the length of time they were taken varied widely.
The same authors conducted another systematic review of 78 randomized clinical trials on antioxidant supplements including beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium alone or in combination.
The study found that both people who were healthy and those with diseases taking beta-carotene and vitamin E supplements had a higher rate of death.
The duration of the studies varied widely from one month to 12 years, with varying dosages. The first inkling came in a large trial of beta-carotene conducted among men in Finland who were heavy smokers, and therefore at high risk for developing lung cancer.
The trial was stopped early when researchers saw a significant increase in lung cancer among those taking the supplement compared to those taking the placebo.
Again, an increase in lung cancer was seen in the supplement group. MAX trial, rates of skin cancer were higher in women who were assigned to take vitamin C, vitamin E, beta-carotene, selenium, and zinc. These results came from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial SELECT that followed 35, men for up to 12 years.
References National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH. Antioxidants: In Depth. Carlsen MH, Halvorsen BL, Holte K, Bøhn SK, Dragland S, Sampson L, Willey C, Senoo H, Umezono Y, Sanada C, Barikmo I. The total antioxidant content of more than foods, beverages, spices, herbs and supplements used worldwide.
Nutrition journal. Semba RD, Ferrucci L, Bartali B, Urpí-Sarda M, Zamora-Ros R, Sun K, Cherubini A, Bandinelli S, Andres-Lacueva C.
Resveratrol levels and all-cause mortality in older community-dwelling adults. JAMA internal medicine. Grodstein F, Kang JH, Glynn RJ, Cook NR, Gaziano JM.
Archives of internal medicine. USDA Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity ORAC of Selected Foods, Release 2 Lee IM, Cook NR, Gaziano JM, Gordon D, Ridker PM, Manson JE, Hennekens CH, Buring JE.
Lonn E, Bosch J, Yusuf S, Sheridan P, Pogue J, Arnold JM, Ross C, Arnold A, Sleight P, Probstfield J, Dagenais GR. Researchers concluded that the positive outcomes were due to bioactive compounds found in avocados beyond their fats, including antioxidants.
In addition to antioxidants, one avocado provides 9. Potassium is a key mineral and electrolyte that supports nerve function, muscle contraction, and blood pressure regulation. Whip avocado into smoothies or enjoy it on toast, salads, sandwiches, soups, or chili.
You can also use avocado as a mayo alternative, as a creamy salad dressing base, a butter substitute in baking, or in desserts like chocolate avocado pudding or dairy-free ice cream.
Berries are antioxidant powerhouses. Studies show that berries like strawberries and blueberries raise blood antioxidant levels and have positive effects on inflammation , brain function, and mental health.
Anti-inflammatory antioxidants found in berries may also offer pain relieving effects in people with arthritis. Berries are also good sources of vitamin C and are among the lowest calorie fruits.
Nibble on fresh or frozen berries alone or add them to sweet and savory dishes. Blend berries into smoothies, add them to oatmeal, nut butter toast, and pancakes. Add berries to garden salads, cooked veggies like Brussels sprouts , grilled salmon, or wild rice, and serve them for or with healthy desserts, like chia pudding.
Cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, such as flavanols. In addition to anti-inflammatory effects, cocoa polyphenols have a positive effect on gut microbes. Cocoa antioxidants also impact brain health. A research review concluded that antioxidants in cocoa called flavanols improved brain function in young adults, including learning and memory.
Whip cocoa powder into smoothies or add it to oatmeal, overnight oats, pancakes, and energy balls. Cocoa powder can also be incorporated into savory recipes, like mole and chili, and countless healthy treats, from lightly sweetened chocolate hummus to oat milk-based hot cocoa, and date-based fudge.
Cruciferous vegetables, which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale , and Brussels sprouts, are rich in antioxidants, including various carotenoids beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin , flavonoids , anthocyanins, and terpenes. Consuming these vegetables is strongly linked to protecting against cancer, and slowing cancer growth.
Cruciferous vegetables are low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One cup of raw broccoli contains 30 calories, 2. Whip kale into smoothies or use it as a salad base. Transform shredded cabbage or broccoli or shaved Brussels sprouts into slaw.
Enjoy sides of cauliflower rice. Or sautéed, grilled, or oven roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts. You can also incorporate these veggies into stir fries, soups, and stews. Catechins, the main antioxidants in green tea , are known to be preventative against a number of cancers, including lung, breast, esophageal, stomach, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.
A research review concluded that green tea, which also contains polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects. In addition, green tea supports immune function and protects brain health. Green tea may also provide small amounts of minerals, including copper, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
However, the amounts vary depending on where the tea was grown. In addition to sipping green tea hot or iced, the beverage can be used to steam vegetables or whole grain rice, or as a liquid in smoothies, overnight oats, soups, and sauces.
Mushrooms contain an array of antioxidants, which have been shown to fend off aging and reduce chronic disease risk. Mushrooms are also low in calories. One cup of whole white mushrooms provides 21 calories and one whole portabella mushrooms contains just Mushrooms are also the only non-animal source of naturally occurring vitamin D , particularly when exposed to ultraviolet UV light.
Adequate vitamin D is important for bone health and muscle function and may protect against some cancers, lung diseases in children, heart and brain diseases, and all types of diabetes.
Blend mushrooms into smoothies or add them to tofu , chickpea, or egg scrambles, salads, soups, stir fries, curries, tacos, pasta dishes, and more. Mushrooms can even be incorporated into baked goods, like brownies, cupcakes, and rice pudding.
All nuts contain powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Walnuts, pistachios, and pecans are specially high in these antioxidants per serving. The antioxidants in nuts help reduce inflammation and may play a role in bone and brain health.
A research review concluded that the increase in blood antioxidant levels from antioxidant-rich plant foods, including nuts, is tied to a reduced risk of all causes of death, including heart disease and cancer. Nuts also provide plant protein, healthful fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Nuts and nut butters can be incorporated into a range of dishes as an ingredient or garnish. Add nuts to smoothies, oatmeal or overnight oats, energy balls, salads, cooked veggies, stir fries, and slaw.
You can season nut butter with garlic, ginger, and chili pepper to make a savory sauce for steamed veggies and tofu. You can also scoop up nut butter with raw veggies or fresh fruit or layer it with melted dark chocolate for a nutritious treat. Extra virgin olive oil EVOO is the type of olive oil that contains the highest levels of polyphenols, the antioxidants known to reduce inflammation, slow the progression of cancer, heart and brain diseases, and reduce overall death risk.
Polyphenols found in EVOO have also been shown to fend off aging, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The healthy fats in EVOO also help the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, which play integral roles in vision, bone health, immune function, and blood clotting.
EVOO can be used in a variety of ways. Enjoy EVOO in salad dressings, slaws, and cool vegetable dishes like salad. Potatoes are bursting with antioxidants. Antioxidants in potatoes include carotenoids, flavonols, anthocyanins, and vitamins C and E.
Baked potatoes can be loaded with healthy toppings, like steamed or sautéed veggies paired with hummus, olive tapenade, guacamole, pesto, tomato sauce, or seasoned tahini. For an antioxidant-rich side dish, toss cooked, chilled potatoes with mustard, EVOO, and herbs.
Pulses, which include beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas , are high in antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids. These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-allergic properties.
Pulses are also rich in protein, fiber, and minerals. Pulses are incredibly versatile. You can use chickpeas in a breakfast scramble or hummus, or oven-roast them and season them for a filling snack. Tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene. This compound, which gives tomatoes their color, has also been shown to reduce inflammation, protect heart health, prevent artery hardening, and reduce blood pressure.
Antioxidant-rich tomatoes have also been shown to protect brain health, reduce the risk of cancer and bowel diseases, and improve skin health, exercise recovery, and immune response.
Cooked tomatoes are higher in lycopene versus raw tomatoes. You can consume tomatoes in a scramble or omelet at breakfast. Toss pastas with tomato sauce or roast tomatoes in the over for a delicious side dish. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Antioxidants: In Depth.
Xu DP, Li Y, Zhou T, Zhou Y, et al. Natural Antioxidants in Foods and Medicinal Plants: Extraction, Assessment and Resources. Int J Mol Sci. Hyson DA. A comprehensive review of apples and apple components and their relationship to human health. Adv Nutr. Published online Sep 6.
Antioxidants Antioxidant rich snack options compounds that may Enhance energy and mood delay Antioxidant rich snack options even prevent cell damage in the body. A wide variety of antioxidants occur in Antioxidaht foods, such as rivh, green leafy vegetables, cocoa, opitons beans. Antioxidants may help defend the body against oxidative stress from potentially harmful free radicals. Oxidative stress may increase the risk of developing cancerheart diseaseand many other chronic illnesses and health problems. Many healthful foods contain antioxidants. If a person consumes some or all of these foods regularly, they may increase their antioxidant levels, potentially helping them prevent the damage that doctors associate with oxidative stress.
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