The media are always throwing about new diet fads and raving about the latest celebrity super food. At the heart of all the fuss are the so famed miracle chemicals: antioxidants. They are the chemicals known to help prevent diseases like heart disease and cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, as well as having anti-aging and cleansing properties. Basically they are exceptionally good for you and your health.

What most people don’t realise is that antioxidants are everywhere; present in a wide variety of foods. And, there are many different kinds of antioxidants with different properties. Polyphenols for example have been shown to play a role in the prevention of degenerative diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Even familiar sounding chemicals like Vitamin C and E are considered to have antioxidant properties. So, the good news is antioxidants are very accessible and if you eat healthily you probably already eat a wide variety of them without even realising.

There are however some foods which are extremely high in antioxidants. A good tip for spotting these foods is to look for natural foods with a strong colour – things like berries, red kidney beans and broccoli.

Here is a list of five foods which contain a very high percentage of antioxidants, that will give you a boost in your antioxidant intake.

 

1)      Broccoli – Higher in vitamin C than your average orange, and containing more calcium than a glass of milk, broccoli already has a lot going for it. Broccoli is also packed full of phytonutrients one of which, Sulforaphane, has been shown to lower the risk of many types of cancer. All in all broccoli is great!

2)     Green tea – Better than your average brew, green tea has a high concentration of catechin polyphenols. These antioxidants work with other chemicals in the body to increase the burning of fat as fuel – putting fat to good use. They have also been shown to help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and high cholesterol. Swapping your builders brew for some green goodness is a simple way to increase the antioxidants in your diet.

3)     Blueberries – These super berries are the most prevalent in any celebrity fad diet. And rightly so! Frozen or fresh, blueberries are high in fibre and low in calories. They contain zero fat and zero cholesterol. And, on to top it off these super berries have the highest level of antioxidants compared to most other fruit and veg.

4)     Cranberries – Cranberries are another berry high in antioxidants and other phytonutrients important for protecting against heart disease, cancer and other conditions including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. They are also famed for their ability to prevent urinary infection. Cranberries are usually popular around Christmas time, but Cranberry juice can be enjoyed all year round.

5)     Pecans – Nuts are generally a great snack option, within moderation, unsalted and oil-free of course. Pecans in particular though are excellent antioxidants. They ran highest in this category amongst all other nuts. Pecans contain vitamin E; a natural antioxidant as well has other vitamins and minerals. They have also been shown to lower cholesterol. Eaten as a snack, crumbled into a salad or pesto – choosing pecans over peanuts could immensely boost your antioxidant intake.

It is clear from this list, and the many other antioxidant foods left off this list, that a wide variety of foods and a varied diet will inevitably ensure you get all the antioxidants you need. A healthy diet containing lots of fresh fruit and vegetables will inevitably guarantee this.  But if you’re looking for a little antioxidant boost gives these antioxidant rich foods a try!