Antioxidants are very important for your overall health and well being. They are compounds that stop oxidation, a chemical reaction that produces free radicals. Free radicals can cause chain reactions that can damage the cells of organisms. Antioxidants stop these reactions from happening. You can find antioxidants in a variety of different foods, especially in fruits and vegetables. When looking to benefit from the power of antioxidants, it is important to make sure that you eat organic fruits and veggies. When fruits aren’t organic, you risk ingesting pesticides which can cause damage to your DNA and neutralize the benefits provided by the antibiotics. Read on to see some antioxidant rich fruits and their benefits.
Blueberries
Blueberries are some of the most antioxidant rich fruits available. They are at the top of the antioxidant food chain – just 1 cup has 13,247 antioxidants. It has vitamin A, vitamin C, and flavonoids like anthocyanidin and querticin. Eating blueberries helps to prevent cancer, reduce your LDL cholesterol and increase your HDL cholesterol, fight age-related diseases, and protect your heart and brain.
Strawberries
Strawberries are another powerful antioxidant laden fruit. The antioxidants contained in strawberries have the ability to fight carcinogens, lower LDL cholesterol, and protect your heart from disease. They also help to protect your body from free radical damage which can cause cancer.
Plums
Darker plums have higher antioxidant contents. They are rich in phenols and vitamin C, and have the ability to prevent swelling and inflammation. They also guard your DNA against damage and cellular deterioration.
Cherries
Cherries are filled with antioxidants. They contain a wide variety of different antioxidants, including isoqueritrin, flavonoids, and queritrin, which remove the byproducts of oxidative stress. This helps to slow down the aging process and fight cancer.
