Antioxidants are a must in preventing degenerative diseases. Antioxidants help in fighting oxidation to your cells. Everyday there is damage to your cells through oxidation. Oxidation is like cutting open an apple and leaving it out, it will turn brown, the same thing happens to your cells. Antioxidant deficiencies are present in early stages of heart disease, cancer, and memory decline. Fruit is an excellent source for antioxidants; you want to eat fruit that is high in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E. When choosing your fruit, you want to get the fruits that when washing them, color water comes off of them, which is really all the phytochemicals they have.
Top Antioxidant Fruits:
1. Blueberries- Are the absolute best fruit that is packed with antioxidants and phytochemicals, this is probably why they're priced so high at the super market. They are great for people with memory problems. They act as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory helping with Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, diabetes, and Parkinson's disease. They help grow more neurons and help make existing connections with old degenerative neurons. Blueberries have also been shown to help reduce the plaque you have in your arteries. Next time your shopping and are hesitant on spending a lot for just a few blueberries, remember that they are very beneficial and could add healthy years to your life.
2. Prunes- They're not just for our grandparents anymore! Prunes and plums pack a load of vitamin A, iron, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. They contain powerful antioxidants that work very well against free radicals that harm the cells in your body. They also help prevent the damage to fat in our cell membranes. They have the highest oxygen radical absorption capability giving them their powerful antioxidant ability.
3. Raspberries-This is another expensive member of the berry group that is loaded with powerful antioxidants. They are loaded with calcium, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin C, vitamin K, and magnesium. Raspberries can mess up the growth of tumors and cause them to self destruct without harming the healthy cells.
4. Strawberries- This is the most affordable berry you can find out there and it packs most of the antioxidants as the other berries offer. It has also been shown to slow down the growth of many types of cancer cells. They can also boost short term memory!
5. Apples- They are a great source of phytochemicals like quercetin. Apples are a great way to help your body fight off oxidation. They contain a bunch of flavonoids. When you choose an apple make sure and get a dark red one and eat the skin because that's where you'll find a lot of antioxidants. The phrase we've all heard from our mothers is right "An apple a day, will keep the doctor away."
For a great way to help in fighting off free radicals and oxidative cells try out these five fruits that are loaded with antioxidants. By consuming these fruits you can better prepare your body for fighting off cancerous cells and heart disease (two of the top major causes of deaths a year in the U.S.).
photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaymiz/
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