What are Antioxidants

What are antioxidants is an often asked question. Antioxidants are those chemical substances that are found present in nature. They can be defined as a group of vitamins like Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Vitamin A or beta carotene and also has nutrients like lutein, selenium and lycopene. A lot of research being done these days is focused on the link that has been discovered between degenerative diseases like cancer and free radicals.  It has been discovered that antioxidants in green tea can provide from 10 mg to 40 mg of the polyphenols. These antioxidants are found to be even greater than what is found in a single serving of broccoli which is considered to be a highly rich antioxidant food.

List of Antioxidants

The list of antioxidants also includes certain kinds of fruits. These antioxidant fruits contain plenty of minerals and vitamins. Some of the main antioxidant fruits include oranges and pink grapefruits. These are found to contain extremely high levels of antioxidants. The Vitamin C that is found in these fruits, like the oranges, help in the protection against free radicals. Grapefruit is found to contain large amounts of lycopene which can also be found in tomatoes. Some of the other fruits that are high in antioxidants include strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, cherries and grapes. These all contain certain antioxidants which are called anthocyanins. One of the main antioxidants benefits is the protection of the DNA. Some other fruits on this list are cranberries, cantaloupes, plums and apples. There are also plenty of vegetables that are part of this list which are found to be high in minerals, vitamins and at the same time low in calories. Hence these vegetables are useful for those who are trying to lose some weight. Some of these vegetables include broccoli and also garlic. These are particularly high on the antioxidant list. Broccoli is said to contain monoterpenes which are found to be good in supporting enzymes which protect one against the free radicals. Some other vegetables which contains anti carcinogenic properties include garlic. Garlic is said to contain allyl sulfides. Some other vegetables that come under this category include carrots, cabbage, parsley, broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, eggplant, squash and potatoes.  Nuts and beans are categorized as polyunsaturated fatty products. These particular foods are said to be good for one’s diet when consumed in moderation. They are also considered to be high in antioxidants. Pinto beans and the whole grains are said to contain very high levels of fiber and carbohydrates. These are very healthy for a person and should be consumed regularly. They are also found to be high in antioxidant properties. Red kidney beans and pecans are some other foods which are high in antioxidants. Pecans are usually found among the mixed nuts that are served and sold. These can be added to salads and side dishes.