5 Foods Rich In Antioxidants

Antioxidants are chemicals in food that help protect the body against cancer, aging and a host of other illnesses. They are an important part of any diet, so important in fact that researchers at the University of Oslo recently examine 1,113 different foods to see which ones had the most antioxidants. Here are the top five that made the list:

1. Blackberries (1 Cup)

Great for a snack. Perfect for adding to cereal or yogurt. They are also rich in bioflavonoids and vitamin C. Another bonus is that they are very low in sodium and one cup of blackberries only has 62 calories.

2. Strawberries (1 Cup)

Who doesn’t like strawberries? Great by themselves, in salads, cereals or yogurt. Strawberries are also high in Vitamin C, folate (hello pregnant ladies), potassium and is a good source of dietary fiber.

3. Artichoke Halves (1 Cup)

Add them to a salad or to a past dish. Whole wheat pasta dish of course. Similar to strawberries artichokes are high in folic acid and are a good source of dietary fiber. They can also help reduce high cholesterol levels and are a good “brain food.”

4. Walnuts (1 Cup)

Eat a handful of these a day and you’ll be good to go. Research shows eating walnuts may promote brain health. Walnuts are also high in melatonin, Vitamin E and are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids.

5.  Cranberries (1 Cup)

Add them to a smoothie or some yogurt. Eat as a snack or toss them in a salad. very good source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, and manganese, as well as a good source of vitamin E and vitamin K.

Final Thoughts

No one food is going to be a magic bullet to solve all of your dietary need. But a combination of great foods can go a long way in improving your health and your waistline.  Start with the foods on this to jumpstart your plan to have a healthier, more nutritious diet rich in vitamins, high in fiber and antioxidants.

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