Top 5 Natural Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances that are very important for the body because they slow down aging process and protect the body against heart disease and cancer. The basic purpose of these substances is to protect the body from free radicals. When they bind themselves to oxygen, they actually disable free radicals and strengthen the protective capabilities of the body. On the other hand, oxygen is indispensible for the existence of body cells and hence for the existence of the whole body, but in its most reactive form, oxygen can be very harmful. The good news is that we are surrounded by many natural antioxidants that we can be found in almost every kitchen and this is a list of the best ones.

Tomatoes

This is surely one of the richest sources of antioxidants. Thanks to lycopene, which provides the distinctive red color, tomatoes are even better fighters against diseases compared to vitamin E or beta-carotene. Cooking tomatoes with olive oil has even more advantages because due to the heat the body can absorb the antioxidants even more easily. In addition to being very tasteful, tomatoes are also helpful for the maintenance of mental abilities.

Mixed berries

They are a powerful source of minerals, fiber and vitamins. It doesn’t really matter if you choose blueberries, raspberries or wild strawberries because eating these fruits will provide high amount of antioxidants that help the activity of brain and reduce the possibility of developing cancer. A recent study has shown that raspberries contain up to ten times more antioxidants than tomatoes or broccoli and that’s why they are part of the list of the most efficient natural antioxidants.

Black grapes

These grapes are packed with resveratrol, a substance that has strong anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. The seeds of this fruit contain numerous antioxidants which are important for the proper maintenance of heart health and fight against the harmful effects of free radicals. What is interesting is that you don’t have to eat grapes to feel their benefits – have a glass of delicious red wine from time to time.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a highly nutritious vegetable that contains more vitamin C than oranges and significant amounts of beta-carotene and calcium. This vegetable is an excellent partner in the fight against heart disease while at the same time lowers the chances of breast cancer development and development of some other types of cancer too.

Garlic

This is probably one of the oldest and most popular herbs used in cooking. But, in addition, garlic is one of the strongest natural antioxidants too. Putting garlic in any meal will enrich its flavor, but what is more interesting is that garlic can be used as a natural antibiotic too. It keeps the heart healthy by lowering blood pressure and bad cholesterol levels.   As previously mentioned it also increases the level of antioxidants in the body and eliminates free radicals. Garlic improves the immune system, plays an important role in preventing cancer, promotes better blood flow and rejuvenates the skin. Many nutritionists claim that garlic slows down the aging process too.