Do you know what helps to stop rapid aging, cancer and heart disease?
Antioxidants do!
An antioxidant is a molecule capable of slowing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules, which can help our body’s cells from being damaged by free radicals, thereby help to prevent aging, cancer and heart disease. These include beta carotene, bioflavonoid and vitamins A, E and C.
Organic fruits have been found to have higher anti-oxidant content than conventionally grown fruits. These fruits are high in antioxidants:
1. Blackberries – Blackberries have high levels of vitamin C and the fruit is a very good source for essential dietary fiber.
2. Redcurrants – Rich in anthocyanins
3. Raspberries – Full of anti-oxidants, also help to prevent clogging of the arteries due to their high salicylic acid content, an immune system boost.
4. Olives – Black olives are slightly higher in anti-oxidants but both types still have antioxidants.
5. Strawberries – The wild variety as they have a higher anti-oxidant content than the cultivated ones, but both contain antioxidants. Best consumed raw, to ensure you are getting the most anti-oxidants.
6. Oranges – Rich in vitamin C, a powerful anti-oxidant, may help protect against childhood leukaemia, as well as fight off colds .
7. Blueberries – Rich on anthocyanins, the pigment that makes blueberries dark blue. Include the skin as this is where most of the anti-oxidants are stored.
8. Pineapples – A fruit that many of us may pass by while filling out shopping baskets, this fruit is truly worth the effort of skinning and chopping to obtain that deliciously fragrant anti-oxidant-packed flesh! To ensure you pick a ripe one, look for a golden yellow colour at the base of the pineapple, the higher the colour goes the sweeter the pineapple is. They should also have a beautiful sweet smell, if there is no smell it’s not ripe and if it smells fermented then is it overripe.
9. Red plums – Best eaten ripe to maximise the health benefits, help to increase iron absorption so are beneficial for pregnant or breastfeeding women and vegetarians.
10. Black grapes – Rich in phytonutrients called flavonoids. Flavonoids enhance the power of vitamin C, help protect blood vessel damage which can lead to bruising and broken capillaries. The darker the colour of the grapes the higher the anti-oxidant content.
11. Yellow grapefruit – Grapefruits are packed with anti-oxidants but may also help lower cholesterol and slow down the processes involved in blocking arteries.
12. Tangerines – Rich in vitamins A and C and beta-carotene, help reduce fever and congestion in the liver. The citric acid content may help prevent the formation of kidney stones.
13. Cherries – Can help lower body fat and assist in conditions such as Gout.
14. Kiwi fruit – Packed with vitamin C and anti-oxidants, may help with respiratory problems such as coughing and wheezing.
15. Prickly pears – The prickly pear is a fruit from a cactus plant used by Native Americans. It is a rich source of flavonoids and vitamin C. Very good for hangovers.
16. Yellow peaches – Rich in vitamin A and a good source of dietary fibre and a mild laxative.
17. Figs – A rich source of potassium and anti-oxidant properties to help lower blood pressure.
18. Rockmelon/Cantaloupe – Low in kilojoules but rich in anti-oxidants, vitamin A and C, helps reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
19. Pears – Rich in vitamin C, pears are an immune booster. Pears have a high folic acid content which helps prevent against neural tube defects in a growing foetus, as well as relieving fevers and sore throats due to their cooling effect on the body.
20. Apricots – High in vitamin A, beta-carotene, lycopene and anti-oxidants. Can help rotect eye lenses from free-radical damage and healthy LDL cholesterol from oxidation, which may help prevent heart disease.