Antioxidants…what are they and how can they benefit a healthy weight loss program? We should also try to figure out which foods are the highest in antioxidants. Antioxidants are nutrients found in everyday foods which help slow down and prevent damage to our bodies from oxidation. Many health problems can be prevented by simply incorporating these into our diet.
Specifically, antioxidants are just fancy names for vitamins and minerals you may already be consuming or at least, be familiar with. Vitamins such as A, C and E fall into this category. Additional sources of these antioxidants are flavonoids, lycopene, lutein, lignin, coenzyme Q10, and glutathione. They all sound unfamiliar, but I think you would be surprised at the amount you already consume everyday.
As I have been eluding to already, antioxidants are easily taken, assuming a well-balanced diet. Through research, eating foods such as vegetables and fruit, at servings of 4-5 per day, should get your recommended daily dosage. Studies also show a 25% reduction in the risk of stroke by consuming these foods on a regular basis.
Some of the top fruits are berries of all sorts, including acai berry, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, cranberries and raspberries. These are all chock full of healthy antioxidants. Other fruits that should be considered include watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, apricots, purple grapes, kiwi, pomegranate, pink grapefruit, oranges, limes and tomatoes.
There is also an entire list of vegetables high in antioxidants. Believe it or not, antioxidants can be found in red wine, however, due to the alcohol content, it is best to limit your intake of. Besides vegetables, you can rely on soy, nuts, seeds, flaxseed, barley, oats and whole grains as easily accessible nutrient rich foods.
Granted, this is not enough, but you can see already how you must change your diet to start healthy weight loss. This can be accomplished by reducing your intake of produced foods, dining out and poor food choices. As always, consult your physician before starting any weight loss plan or program.
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