Incorporating antioxidant fruits into your diet can be extremely beneficial for your health, and with everyone trying to get the most out of their money, choosing the best antioxidants is important.
Antioxidants are vitamins and minerals found in food, which can prevent or slow the oxidative damage to our body. When our body's cells use oxygen, a process called oxidation occurs which produces compounds known as free radicals that can cause damage. Oxidation can lead to serious, long term health problems. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer have all been linked to oxidative damage.
Antioxidants are able to remove these free radicals, and hence prevent and repair the damage done by them. Fortunately, there are many fruits and vegetables that are highly concentrated with body healing substances, and will not set you back a lot of money.
1. Blueberries
Blueberries are the most powerful antioxidant fruit and thus are the best bang for your buck. A single half cup of these berries can double our normal antioxidant intake and have anti-aging effects. They are associated with the prevention of cancer, brain damage, high cholesterol and age-related health diseases. In addition, blueberries contain various other vitamins and minerals extremely beneficial to your health. You can buy a 12 oz. container of blueberries for about $3.50.
2. Strawberries
Strawberries are another one of the most highly concentrated antioxidant fruits. The antioxidants found in strawberries have been shown to fight carcinogens and LDL, the bad cholesterol which can lead to heart disease. In addition, strawberries contain a high amount of folic acid. Folic acid is vital to for pregnant women because it plays a vital role in preventing birth defects. However, folic acid is important to everyone, as inadequate levels can lead to dementia, heart disease, osteoporosis and many cancers. A 16 oz. batch of strawberries will only run you about $3.50
3. Broccoli
Broccoli, like other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts, contain certain cancer preventing antioxidants. One of these has been shown to help prevent breast cell tumor growth and the spread of cancer to other parts of the body. A Johns Hopkins study showed that another antioxidant found in broccoli could slow or prevent the growth of tumors in the body. Broccoli is very economical, as a 16 oz. bag can cost as little as $3.00.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes can be very beneficial antioxidant sources. Tomatoes can help prevent certain cancers including colon cancer in men, and can aid in maintaining mental function. Tomatoes have also been shown to prevent heart disease. An 18 oz. package of tomatoes will only cost about $4.00.
5. Grapes
Every variety of grapes will provide antioxidants, but red skin grapes are the best. The antioxidants in grapes have been linked to inhibiting cancer and heart disease. In addition, one of these antioxidants has been shown to have anti-aging effects on age related heart disease. While you can get the antioxidants in grapes from wine, this may be more expensive. A pound of fresh grapes however, costs less than $4.00
