Antioxidants

It is widely believed that antioxidants play an important role in helping to ward off heart disease, cancer and numerous other diseases by protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals. I truly believe in the power of antioxidants and feed my family these foods as much as possible.

The antioxidant levels in whole foods are greater than the levels found in antioxidant supplements or vitamins.  According to the USDA, the top 20 antioxidant rich foods are:

1. Red Beans                                          
2. Wild Blueberries                                
3. Red Kidney Beans                             
4. Pinto Beans                                        
5. Farmed Blueberries                            
6. Cranberries                                         
7. Artichokes (cooked)                           
8. Blackberries                                        
9. Prunes                                                
10. Raspberries                                       
11. Strawberries
12. Red Delicious Apples
13. Granny Smith Apples
14. Pecans
15. Sweet Cherries
16. Black Plums
17. Russet Potato (cooked)
18. Black Beans
19. Plums
20. Gala Apples

Other foods that contain antioxidants are: pineapples, kiwi, bell peppers, spinach, beets, dried apricots, soybeans, barley, millet, oats, cinnamon, oregano, ginger and turmeric.

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