Add berries to garden salads, cooked veggies like Brussels sprouts , grilled salmon, or wild rice, and serve them for or with healthy desserts, like chia pudding. Cocoa is rich in polyphenol antioxidants, such as flavanols. In addition to anti-inflammatory effects, cocoa polyphenols have a positive effect on gut microbes.

Cocoa antioxidants also impact brain health. A research review concluded that antioxidants in cocoa called flavanols improved brain function in young adults, including learning and memory. Whip cocoa powder into smoothies or add it to oatmeal, overnight oats, pancakes, and energy balls.

Cocoa powder can also be incorporated into savory recipes, like mole and chili, and countless healthy treats, from lightly sweetened chocolate hummus to oat milk-based hot cocoa, and date-based fudge.

Cruciferous vegetables, which include cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale , and Brussels sprouts, are rich in antioxidants, including various carotenoids beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin , flavonoids , anthocyanins, and terpenes. Consuming these vegetables is strongly linked to protecting against cancer, and slowing cancer growth.

Cruciferous vegetables are low in calories and rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One cup of raw broccoli contains 30 calories, 2. Whip kale into smoothies or use it as a salad base. Transform shredded cabbage or broccoli or shaved Brussels sprouts into slaw.

Enjoy sides of cauliflower rice. Or sautéed, grilled, or oven roasted broccoli, cauliflower, or Brussels sprouts. You can also incorporate these veggies into stir fries, soups, and stews. Catechins, the main antioxidants in green tea , are known to be preventative against a number of cancers, including lung, breast, esophageal, stomach, liver, pancreatic, and prostate cancer.

A research review concluded that green tea, which also contains polyphenol and flavonoid antioxidants, has anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic effects.

In addition, green tea supports immune function and protects brain health. Green tea may also provide small amounts of minerals, including copper, manganese, iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and potassium.

However, the amounts vary depending on where the tea was grown. In addition to sipping green tea hot or iced, the beverage can be used to steam vegetables or whole grain rice, or as a liquid in smoothies, overnight oats, soups, and sauces. Mushrooms contain an array of antioxidants, which have been shown to fend off aging and reduce chronic disease risk.

Mushrooms are also low in calories. One cup of whole white mushrooms provides 21 calories and one whole portabella mushrooms contains just Mushrooms are also the only non-animal source of naturally occurring vitamin D , particularly when exposed to ultraviolet UV light.

Adequate vitamin D is important for bone health and muscle function and may protect against some cancers, lung diseases in children, heart and brain diseases, and all types of diabetes. Blend mushrooms into smoothies or add them to tofu , chickpea, or egg scrambles, salads, soups, stir fries, curries, tacos, pasta dishes, and more.

Mushrooms can even be incorporated into baked goods, like brownies, cupcakes, and rice pudding. All nuts contain powerful antioxidants called polyphenols. Walnuts, pistachios, and pecans are specially high in these antioxidants per serving. The antioxidants in nuts help reduce inflammation and may play a role in bone and brain health.

A research review concluded that the increase in blood antioxidant levels from antioxidant-rich plant foods, including nuts, is tied to a reduced risk of all causes of death, including heart disease and cancer.

Nuts also provide plant protein, healthful fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Nuts and nut butters can be incorporated into a range of dishes as an ingredient or garnish. Add nuts to smoothies, oatmeal or overnight oats, energy balls, salads, cooked veggies, stir fries, and slaw. You can season nut butter with garlic, ginger, and chili pepper to make a savory sauce for steamed veggies and tofu.

You can also scoop up nut butter with raw veggies or fresh fruit or layer it with melted dark chocolate for a nutritious treat. Extra virgin olive oil EVOO is the type of olive oil that contains the highest levels of polyphenols, the antioxidants known to reduce inflammation, slow the progression of cancer, heart and brain diseases, and reduce overall death risk.

Polyphenols found in EVOO have also been shown to fend off aging, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The healthy fats in EVOO also help the body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, which play integral roles in vision, bone health, immune function, and blood clotting. EVOO can be used in a variety of ways.

Enjoy EVOO in salad dressings, slaws, and cool vegetable dishes like salad. Potatoes are bursting with antioxidants. Antioxidants in potatoes include carotenoids, flavonols, anthocyanins, and vitamins C and E.

Baked potatoes can be loaded with healthy toppings, like steamed or sautéed veggies paired with hummus, olive tapenade, guacamole, pesto, tomato sauce, or seasoned tahini.

For an antioxidant-rich side dish, toss cooked, chilled potatoes with mustard, EVOO, and herbs. Pulses, which include beans, lentils, peas, and chickpeas , are high in antioxidants, including polyphenols and flavonoids.

These antioxidants have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and anti-allergic properties. Pulses are also rich in protein, fiber, and minerals. Pulses are incredibly versatile. You can use chickpeas in a breakfast scramble or hummus, or oven-roast them and season them for a filling snack.

Tomatoes are rich in an antioxidant called lycopene. This compound, which gives tomatoes their color, has also been shown to reduce inflammation, protect heart health, prevent artery hardening, and reduce blood pressure.

Antioxidant-rich tomatoes have also been shown to protect brain health, reduce the risk of cancer and bowel diseases, and improve skin health, exercise recovery, and immune response. Cooked tomatoes are higher in lycopene versus raw tomatoes.

You can consume tomatoes in a scramble or omelet at breakfast. Toss pastas with tomato sauce or roast tomatoes in the over for a delicious side dish.

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Antioxidants: In Depth. Xu DP, Li Y, Zhou T, Zhou Y, et al. Natural Antioxidants in Foods and Medicinal Plants: Extraction, Assessment and Resources. Int J Mol Sci. Hyson DA. A comprehensive review of apples and apple components and their relationship to human health.

Adv Nutr. Published online Sep 6. doi: Oyenihi AB, Belay ZA, Mditshwa A, Caleb OJ. J Food Sci. Published online May 3. Wang L, Tao L, Hoa L, Stanley TH, et al. A moderate-fat diet with one avocado per day increases plasma antioxidants and decreases the oxidation of small, dense LDL in adults with overweight and obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

J Nutr. Published online Oct Food Data Central. Avocados, raw, California. Miller K, Feucht W, Schmid M. If the body cannot process and remove free radicals efficiently, oxidative stress can result. This can harm cells and body function.

Free radicals are also known as reactive oxygen species ROS. Factors that increase the production of free radicals in the body can be internal, such as inflammation , or external, for example, pollution, UV exposure, and cigarette smoke.

Antioxidants are said to help neutralize free radicals in our bodies, and this is thought to boost overall health. Antioxidants can protect against the cell damage that free radicals cause, known as oxidative stress.

Activities and processes that can lead to oxidative stress include :. The damage caused by oxidative stress has been linked to cancer, atherosclerosis , and vision loss. It is thought that the free radicals cause changes in the cells that lead to these and possibly other conditions.

Other research has indicated that antioxidant supplements may help reduce vision loss due to age-related macular degeneration in older people. Overall, however, there is a lack of evidence that a higher intake of specific antioxidants can reduce the risk of disease.

In most cases, results have tended to show no benefit, or a detrimental effect, or they have been conflicting. There are thought to be hundreds and possibly thousands of substances that can act as antioxidants.

Each has its own role and can interact with others to help the body work effectively. Flavonoids, flavones, catechins, polyphenols, and phytoestrogens are all types of antioxidants and phytonutrients, and they are all found in plant-based foods.

Each antioxidant serves a different function and is not interchangeable with another. This is why it is important to have a varied diet. To obtain some specific antioxidants, try to include the following in your diet:. Vitamin C : Most fruits and vegetables, especially berries, oranges, and bell peppers.

Vitamin E : Nuts and seeds, sunflower and other vegetable oils, and green, leafy vegetables. Beta-carotene : Brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, peas, spinach, and mangoes.

Lutein : Green, leafy vegetables, corn, papaya , and oranges. Selenium : Rice, corn, wheat, and other whole grains, as well as nuts, eggs, cheese, and legumes. Goji berries and many other food products that contain antioxidants are available to purchase online. The following foods are good sources of antioxidants.

Click on each one to find out more about their health benefits and nutritional information:. Lycopene is the antioxidant that gives tomatoes their rich red color.

When tomatoes are heat-treated, the lycopene becomes more bio-available easier for our bodies to process and use. However, studies have shown that cauliflower, peas, and zucchini lose much of their antioxidant activity in the cooking process.

Keep in mind that the important thing is eating a variety of antioxidant-rich foods, cooked and raw. There is no set recommended daily allowance RDA for antioxidants, but a high intake of fresh plant-based produce is considered healthful. It is worth remembering that, while studies link the consumption of fruits and vegetables with better overall health, it is not clear whether how far this is due to the activity of antioxidants.

In addition, caution is needed regarding supplements. The National Institutes of Health NIH warn that high doses of antioxidant supplements can be harmful. A high intake of beta-carotene, for example, has been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Heating fats and oils during cooking oxidizes them, generating free radicals which seep into our foods.

Alcoholic drinks not only are high in calories but also can produce free radicals in the body. Try to limit your drinks to one or two per day. Antioxidants are found in a variety of plants in the form of vitamins A, C and E, selenium and certain phytonutrients and polyphenols.

Cranberries are loaded with them! These foods can be incorporated into several side dishes such as vegetable medleys, casseroles and salads. Apples, cantaloupe, cherries, grapefruit, kiwi, papaya, red grapes, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries are delightful on their own or when mixed to create lovely fruit salads.

Some versatile antioxidant-rich flavonoids include onions, eggplant, lettuce, turnip greens, endives, pears, red wine, parsley, citrus fruits, berries, cherries, plums, legumes, soybeans, milk, cheese, tofu and miso.

These are prunes, plums, raisins, blueberries, cranberries, figs, oranges, pomegranates, sweet red bell peppers, beets, kale, spinach and dark chocolate.

Many spices can not only enhance the flavor of our food but also reduce oxidative stress. These include ginger, grape seed extract, ginkgo, rosemary and turmeric.

When the evening comes to an end, you can revel in a gentle and soothing cup of warm green tea and be comforted in knowing that the polyphenols in your brew also combat oxidation.

Menu Close Home Edition Africa Australia Brasil Canada Canada français España Europe France Global Indonesia New Zealand United Kingdom United States. Edition: Available editions Europe. Become an author Sign up as a reader Sign in. Manal Elfakhani , Georgia State University.

Author Manal Elfakhani Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Nutrition, Georgia State University. Antioxidants Free radicals Healthy food Oxidation Brussels sprouts.