How people prepare artichokes makes a difference to their antioxidant levels. One study compared boiling, frying, and steaming to see how each affected the antioxidant levels. The results showed that steaming increased the effectiveness of the antioxidants by 15 times while boiling increased it eightfold.

Researchers believe the reason for this is that boiling and steaming break down the cell walls, making the antioxidants more accessible. One study showed that the body can absorb antioxidants from pecans, increasing their levels in the blood.

It also found that eating raw pecans helps lower the blood levels of oxidized LDL cholesterol, which may mean that these nuts help prevent heart disease. Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins , and minerals.

Strawberries owe their red color to anthocyanins, which have antioxidant powers. A review showed that taking anthocyanin supplements reduced the levels of LDL cholesterol in participants with high cholesterol. By lowering LDL cholesterol levels, anthocyanins may help prevent heart disease.

Although strawberries are an ingredient in some baked goods, these products are rarely healthful and are not a good choice for people trying to lose weight. Red cabbage, like strawberries and red kale , contains anthocyanins. In addition to giving the vegetable its red color, this group of antioxidants helps promote heart health, prevent cancer, and reduce inflammation.

According to one study , anthocyanins have the following health benefits:. However, more research is still necessary to determine the health effects of eating red cabbage.

A person can eat red cabbage as part of a salad or as a cooked vegetable. Raspberries are an excellent source of many antioxidants. They also contain manganese, vitamin C , and dietary fiber. Evidence suggests that the antioxidants present in raspberries may help destroy certain cancer cells.

For example, in one laboratory study , researchers found that the antioxidants and some other compounds in raspberries helped kill breast, colon, and stomach cancer cells in a test tube. A more recent review of studies showed that the compounds in black raspberries might slow the progression of cancerous tumors.

However, most of the research on raspberries has involved experiments in test tubes. Consequently, researchers need to carry out studies involving people to judge the effectiveness of eating raspberries in preventing disease.

Beans are an excellent source of protein and dietary fiber. Some beans, such as pinto beans, are also high in antioxidants. Pinto beans contain a plant flavonoid called kaempferol, which may help suppress cancer cell growth and reduce inflammation.

Several studies link kaempferol to the suppression of specific cancers, including:. Despite these promising studies, researchers do not know much about the antioxidant effect of kaempferol in humans. To date, they have primarily carried out studies in animals and test tubes.

However, as beans have several potential health benefits, it is a good idea for people to include them as part of their regular diet. Purple and red grape varieties contain vitamin C, selenium , and antioxidants. Two of the antioxidants that occur in grapes, namely anthocyanin and proanthocyanin, may help protect a person from heart disease or cancer.

However, there is a need for additional research to show the exact effects that eating grapes has on heart health and cancer risk. Spinach is a green, leafy vegetable full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It is low in calories, making it an excellent choice as an addition to salads and entrees.

Zeaxanthin and lutein are two of the antioxidants in spinach that may promote eye health. They help prevent damage from ultraviolet UV rays and other harmful light waves. A review of studies on lutein and zeaxanthin noted that lots of studies have investigated their role in age-related macular degeneration.

The authors also suggested how people could get more of these antioxidants in their diets, naming dark leafy greens, eggs, and pistachios as sources. Beets are vegetables that contain antioxidants belonging to a class of pigments called betalains.

Betalains may help prevent colon cancer and digestive issues. Beets are also a source of dietary fiber, iron, folate , and potassium. These substances may help with suppressing inflammation. One review noted that betalains show promise for reducing free radicals and helping prevent cancer.

However, research has not yet determined the effectiveness of eating beets for these benefits. Kale is rich in vitamins A, C, and K, and it contains several antioxidants. It is a popular health food and hardy winter vegetable, common in many northern regions.

Anthocyanins are antioxidants that are readily available in a variety of fruits and vegetables. They are responsible for the color of these foods, from vibrant red to blue. Several orange vegetables contain vitamin A and other nutrients. These vegetables contain large amounts of phytochemicals that can help with heart disease and cancer prevention.

Some examples of orange vegetables with high antioxidant levels include:. There is limited evidence to suggest how best to serve orange vegetables. Often, people cook them, but a person can eat some varieties, such as carrots, raw as a snack or part of a salad.

There are many common foods that people can eat to increase the number of antioxidants that they consume. The antioxidants in these foods may help promote heart and eye health, prevent cancer, and protect against other common diseases that scientists associate with harmful free radicals.

However, researchers still need to understand the extent to which each of these foods helps people acquire higher levels of antioxidants. They also need to determine how effective each is in disease prevention.

Free radicals are unstable atoms that can cause damage to cells and lead to illnesses and the aging process. Exactly what impact do they have on the…. Dark chocolate generally contains less sugar and more cacao solids than milk chocolate.

Here are the nutrition facts for 1 ounce 28 g of walnuts, per the USDA :. A relative of the beetroot, spinach is a low-calorie veggie loaded with nutrients that may promote bone, eye, and hair health.

Because lutein also functions as an antioxidant, spinach may also improve heart health and decrease the risk of cancer, the study found. Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup 30 g of spinach, per the USDA :.

RELATED: 10 Healthy Foods That Contain Iron. To reap the health benefits, aim for more colorful spuds, like sweet potatoes or purple potatoes; just like any other fruit and veggie as noted earlier, a more colorful potato means a higher concentration of antioxidants.

Studies have shown that the antioxidants in potatoes may help lower blood pressure , the risk of heart disease, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. Here are the nutritional facts for 1 medium g russet potato with skin , per the USDA :.

RELATED: All the Health Benefits of Sweet Potatoes for People With Diabetes. What sets green tea apart from other teas is the high number of catechins, a type of phytochemical that acts as a powerful antioxidant. These catechins are known to be antimicrobial agents, and research, including the aforementioned study, has shown they have the ability to potentially help treat and prevent infectious diseases.

Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup of brewed green tea g , per the USDA :. Sweet and sumptuous, strawberries are a crown jewel of the berry world. Like blueberries, strawberries get their vivid red color from anthocyanins, granting them superfood status.

Studies have shown strawberries may reduce inflammation and decrease blood pressure, which in turn could help prevent heart disease , according to a research review.

Here are the nutritional facts for 1 cup g of strawberry halves, per the USDA :. RELATED: The 8 Best Fruits for a Diabetes-Friendly Diet. In fact, beans have almost the same amount of protein found in meat, according to a study.

While beans have a reputation of causing digestive discomfort in some people, that usually subsides with regular consumption — and the numerous health benefits from these high nutrient nuggets also make up for it.

Here are the nutritional facts for 1 cup g of canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed, per the USDA :. Whole oats are hives of antioxidant activity, which may help reduce chronic inflammation linked to heart disease and diabetes, according to the Harvard T.

Oats are also a good food for those trying to lose weight. The high levels of soluble fiber in oats allows them to readily absorb water, which helps slow digestion and makes you feel more full, notes Harvard.

RELATED: The Complete Guide to Oats. Yes, you finally have an excuse to eat chocolate on the daily — dark chocolate , that is. The flavonoids in cacao beans, from which chocolate is produced, act as antioxidants that may play a role in cancer prevention , heart health, and weight loss, according to a study.

Consumed in small amounts around 1 ounce per day , dark chocolate with a minimum of 70 percent cacao may have other added health benefits, such as improving cognition, preventing memory loss , and boosting mood, reported another study.

Here are the nutritional facts for 1 ounce Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

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Consider nutrient-rich foods for your arsenal against chronic disease. Department of Agriculture USDA : Calories 84 Protein 1. Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup 91 g of chopped broccoli, per the USDA : Calories 31 Protein 2.

Here are the nutrition facts for 1 ounce 28 g of walnuts, per the USDA : Calories Protein 4. Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup 30 g of spinach, per the USDA : Calories 7 Protein 0. Here are the nutritional facts for 1 medium g russet potato with skin , per the USDA : Calories Protein 4.

Here are the nutrition facts for 1 cup of brewed green tea g , per the USDA : Calories 2. Here are the nutritional facts for 1 cup g of strawberry halves, per the USDA : Calories 49 Protein 1. Here are the nutritional facts for 1 cup g of canned red kidney beans, drained and rinsed, per the USDA : Calories Protein How to Cook It: Roasted Balsamic Strawberry Sauce Everyday Health staff nutritionist Kelly Kennedy, RDN, shows you how to make a low-calorie strawberry balsamic sauce.

This sweet and tangy sauce can top everything from salad to ice cream. Add a dose of antioxidants to your favorite dish today! Next up video playing in 10 seconds. Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking.

Resources Rodriguez-Amaya DB. Natural Food Pigments and Colorants. Current Opinion in Food Science. February Harvard T.

Antioxidant Supplements: What You Need to Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. July Panche AN, Diwan AD, Chandra SR. Flavonoids: An Overview.

Journal of Nutritional Science. December 29, Viña J, Borras C, Abdelaziz KM, et al. The Free Radical Theory of Aging Revisited: The Cell Signaling Disruption Theory of Aging. September 10, Gladyshev VN.

The Free Radical Theory of Aging Is Dead. Long Live the Damage Theory! February 1, Daily Value on the New Nutrition and Supplement Facts Labels. Food and Drug Administration. February 25, Curtis PJ, van der Velpen V, Berends L, et al.

Blueberries Improve Biomarkers of Cardiometabolic Function in Participants With Metabolic Syndrome-Results From a 6-Month, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. June 1, Blueberries, Raw. Department of Agriculture. April 1, Hwang JH, Lim SB. Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Broccoli By-Products From Different Cultivars and Maturity Stages at Harvest.