Naturalpath

Try as we might, it is hard to outdo nature. Supplements are a great way to get antioxidants, but the best way to increase antioxidants in your body is through diet. A recent USDA study listed red beans, pinto beans, artichokes, prunes, and berries (including blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, and raspberries) as having the highest levels of antioxidants.

Here is our list of powerful antioxidants:

Beta-carotene - found in many orange foods, including sweet potatoes, carrots, cantaloupe, squash, apricots, pumpkin, and mangos. Some green leafy vegetables including collard greens, spinach, and kale are also rich in beta-carotene.

Lutein - abundant in green, leafy vegetables such as collard greens, spinach, and kale.

Lycopene - a potent antioxidant found in tomatoes, watermelon, guava, papaya, apricots, pink grapefruit, blood oranges, and other foods.

Selenium - a mineral, not an antioxidant nutrient, selenium comes from meat and plant foods like rice and wheat. The amount of selenium in soil varies by region, and this will determine the amount of selenium resulting in the finished food. Meats and bread are common sources of dietary selenium, thus it’s important to eat both that were grown on selenium-rich soil. Brazil nuts also contain large quantities of selenium.

Vitamin A - found in three main forms: retinol (Vitamin A1), 3,4-didehydroretinol (Vitamin A2), and 3-hydroxy-retinol (Vitamin A3). Foods rich in vitamin A include liver, sweet potatoes, carrots, milk, egg yolks and mozzarella cheese.

Vitamin C - also called ascorbic acid, and can be found in high abundance in many fruits and vegetables, such as strawberries and oranges. Vitamin C is also found in cereals, beef, poultry and fish.

Vitamin E - also known as alpha-tocopherol, this antioxidant is found in almonds, as well as wheat germ, safflower, corn and soybean oils. In whole foods, vitamin E can be consumed in mangos, nuts, and broccoli.