Why You Need More Antioxidants in Your Diet

Antioxidants have been in the spotlight for years and for good reason. Antioxidants are little powerhouses that fight off oxidative cell damage and attack the free radicals that wreak havoc on your body. Here are a few of the reasons that you need even more antioxidants in your diet.

Improve Your Brain Health

Antioxidants not only protect your brain, but they can even reverse cognitive decline. Your brain is particularly susceptible to free radical damage, which means you need to fight it even harder. Increase your brain function with lutein, an antioxidant found in leafy greens, cruciferous veggies, and citrus fruits. Improve your memory with flavonoids, which abound in leafy greens, dark chocolate, and berries. Combat cognitive decline with vitamin E. Vitamin E can be found in fish, shellfish, avocados, seeds, and nuts. Finally, boost your mood with curcumim, an antioxidant found in turmeric. The antioxidants found in these foods are powerful protectors and defenders of your brain.

Fight Depression

Like any physical illness, depression is found within the body, not just the minds of its sufferers. Studies have shown that the blood antioxidant levels of depressed people are significantly lower than that of healthy people. The antioxidants most effective at combating depression are vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. You can find these antioxidants in citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwifruit, tomatoes, carrots, spinach, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, and squash. Look for brightly colored fruits and vegetables. Additionally, all kinds of berries are loaded with critical antioxidants.

Stave Off Disease

Oxidative cell damage and free radicals cause just about every degenerative disease you can think of. These include the big ones, such as cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease. These illnesses combined cause the overwhelming majority of deaths in developed countries. Sadly, these diseases are also largely preventable, by combining a healthy diet with exercise, reduced stress, and adequate sleep. To get the most antioxidants in your diet as possible, include a wide variety of leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, herbs, legumes, and whole grains. Add these foods to your smoothies, prepare them in salads, roast them for better flavor, and eat the peels whenever possible.

You don’t have to fall prey to oxidative stress and free radicals. There is a vast wealth of antioxidants out there to fight them off. These weapons are as close to you as your own garden, your neighborhood grocery store, or your local farmer’s market.

Check out this article on how to keep track of your health goals!