Although antioxidant-rich foods are an important part of a healthy diet, do not limit yourself to these types of foods alone. Your body needs to receive nutrients that can be found not in one group of food only but in a variety. But for now let us just focus on some of the food that are considered to be very rich in antioxidants.
Fruits and vegetables are food groups that probably always make it to the list of food you should include in your diet. We are not exaggerating when we do that because we all know that they are indeed healthy foods. So when you talk about antioxidant-rich food, they belong to the top. Vitamins A, C and E are antioxidants that you will find mostly in fruits like tomatoes, avocados and carrots. A good serving of these fruits everyday can help you stay away from heart problems.
The leading antioxidant-rich fruit is the berry. Not only are berries (blueberry in particular) good brain boosters, they are also good for the heart. Raspberries, strawberries and cranberries rank the highest among antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables. Some experts say that mildly steaming blueberries will enhance its antioxidant level; while some say it’s best to eat them fresh.
Ok, but if berries only number one among antioxidant-rich fruits, what is THE number one antioxidant-rich food then? Don’t be surprised but it’s the darkest of them all ” the dark chocolate. According to research, the cocoa found in dark chocolates are so rich in antioxidant that they beat even the green tea.
When it comes to chocolate, darker is better. Studies have shown that people who eat dark chocolate two or three times a week have lower blood pressure compared to those who prefer milk chocolate or no chocolate at all. You must remember that too much of something is not good for the body so having a balanced diet is still the most effective way to get the most out of what you eat.
