Powerful Antioxidants

Antioxidants are the nutrients in the foods that prevents or slows down the oxidative damage to our body. When our body cells use oxygen, they naturally produce free radicals. This causes damage. Antioxidants prevent and repair the damage caused by these free radicals. Antioxidants also enhance immune defense and lowers the risk of cancer.

Do you know what foods have antioxidants? Most of us don't know, yet it is essential that we get enough antioxidants from our food that we eat on a daily basis. This artcle provides you with simple and easy to remember guide to buying antioxidant rich foods for you and your family.

Deep Red Colored Foods

First of all, most of your time and money in the grocery store should be spent in the fresh produce section. If this is not the case, try to make this change. In the fresh produce section, look for fruits and vegetables that are "naturally" dark red. Remember most packaged products use food coloring, so they are not "naturally" red colored.

Instead of packaged products, look for wholesome foods items such as cranberries, raspberries, cherries, strawberries, beets, tomatoes, red peppers and pomegranate. Fresh berries are generally more expensive, so if you are on budget, go for the frozen type. Frozen foods contains all of the essential nutrients, and it is a great way to save money and eat healthy.

Yellow or Orange Colored Foods

The second category is foods that are "naturally" yellow and orange colored. Here is a simple illustration. If you cut an apple and leave it overnight, we all know that the apple will turn brown. This is because the air oxidizes it. But if you cut an apple, put some lemon juice over it and then leave it overnight, the apple will maintain its fresh radiant color the next day. It does not turn brown.

This is an interesting experiment, but this is exactly what these powerful antioxidants do for your body. They protect your body from turning to this ugly brown color. The foods that have yellow or orange color contain powerful antioxidants, so on your next shopping trip buy any "naturally" yellow or orange foods. For example, oranges, tangerines, lemons, apricots, cantaloupes, yellow peppers, orange peppers or sweet potatoes. All of them are great sources of antioxidants.

Purple Colored Foods

A recent study discovered a powerful antioxidant that were found in "naturally" deep purple or deep blue colored fruits and vegetables. Some great items to add to your shopping list are purple potatoes, blueberries, black currants, grapes, red wine, eggplants, plums, purple cabbage and raisins. All of those foods are naturally dark blue or dark purple and naturally contain the powerful antioxidants that protect tissues from free radical damage.

Green Colored Foods

Last but not least is foods that are "naturally" green colored. Green salads are great, but there are a wide variety of naturally green foods other than salads. You just have to experiment with them. For example, bok choy, kale, kiwi, Napa cabbage, asparagus, arugula, green peppers, cucumbers, avocados, mustard greens, snow peas are all wonderful source of antioxidants. Also, green tea is a great source of antioxidants. Doctors and nutritionists recommend three cups of green tea everyday.

On your next shopping trip, be a smarter consumer. Try to spend more time in the fresh produce section buying healthy, fresh and wholesome foods for you and your family.