You’ve in all probability heard numerous occasions that antioxidants are good for you. However what precisely are antioxidants — and why do you want them?

Antioxidants are pure compounds that may help wholesome cell perform. “Antioxidants assist help total well being by combating free radical cell injury,” says Jessica Cording, MS, RD, CDN, dietitian and writer of The Little E-book Of Recreation-Changers: 50 Wholesome Habits For Managing Stress & Anxiousness.

Cording recommends consuming a balanced, nutritious diet that features loads of antioxidant-rich meals. “Add berries to a morning smoothie, use olive oil in a salad at lunch, snack on walnuts, take pleasure in roasted candy potato at dinner, have cherries and a chunk of darkish chocolate for dessert,” she says.

Listed here are a few of the meals with the highest antioxidant profiles.

1. Artichokes

This spiky Mediterranean staple has the highest ranges of antioxidants of any vegetable. You’ll get your antioxidants within the type of vitamin C and silymarin (a flavonoid with potential hyperlinks to pores and skin well being).

2. Berries

Berries frequently rank excessive on antioxidant meals lists. So which berries are finest?

3. Espresso

Whereas the roasting course of considerably decreases the quantity of antioxidants present in espresso beans, it really creates different antioxidants together with melanoidins and polymeric compounds. One research discovered that espresso has increased antioxidant potential (by quantity) than brewed espresso — another reason to order that latte (simply bear in mind to maintain the sugar!).

4. Darkish Chocolate

Earlier than they’re processed to make candy treats, cocoa beans are too bitter to be edible. That’s due to their excessive focus of antioxidant polyphenols — and whereas a few of these phenolic compounds go to the wayside throughout processing, cocoa nonetheless has increased antioxidant capability than inexperienced tea and purple wine.

When selecting darkish chocolate, have a look at the share of cocoa listed on the label — the upper the share, the higher. (Goal for 80% or increased if potential.)

5. Inexperienced Tea

In comparison with different kinds of tea, inexperienced tea has the best focus of polyphenols. Specifically, inexperienced tea comprises excessive concentrations of epigalocatechin gallate (EGCG), a kind of flavanol with highly effective antioxidant properties.

6. Herbs and Spices

A few of your favourite seasonings can do extra than simply taste your meals. The next herbs and spices have significantly excessive ranges of antioxidants:

• Allspice
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Mint
• Oregano
• Thyme

If you may get your fingers on recent variations, chances are you’ll increase your antioxidant consumption much more, since analysis suggests dried variations could have decreased antioxidant capability. (However utilizing dried herbs and spices remains to be a more healthy possibility than seasoning with salt or high-sodium seasoning blends, so preserve your spice rack well-stocked.)

7. Kale

This leafy inexperienced is filled with antioxidants, together with vitamin C, polyphenols, and beta carotene. Serve salmon over a mattress of blanched kale, or take pleasure in this superfood uncooked in a salad.

8. Olive Oil

Whereas refined olive oil ranks low on antioxidant meals lists, the extra-virgin model has the highest stage of polyphenols. Which may be why it’s the oil mostly used within the Blue Zones, the communities all over the world the place folks dwell the longest.

9. Pecans

Analysis suggests pecans are among the many healthiest of all nuts, with excessive concentrations of phenolic compounds together with flavanols, anthocyanidins, proanthocyanidins, and phenolic acid. They’re additionally a fantastic supply of manganese.

10. Candy Potato

Candy potatoes are one other supply of antioxidant polyphenols — and if you may get your fingers on purple candy potatoes, you’ll be able to profit from a excessive focus of anthocyanins, a phenolic compound that contributes to that distinct purple hue.

11. Walnuts

This humble nut comprises vitamin E, manganese, and crazy-high ranges of polyphenols — in actual fact, amongst frequent meals and drinks, walnuts stand as one of many finest sources of polyphenols.