Antioxidant-Rich Foods to Enjoy This Spring
By Emily Lindholm
Are you getting enough antioxidants? Antioxidants help our bodies unload toxins and significantly reduce oxidative stress, which can later down the line contribute to diseases such as heart disease and cancer. Oxidative stress is caused by the accumulation of free radicals. We're exposed to free radicals every day from environmental pollution, commercial chemicals, and pesticides. Try adding these four antioxidant-rich foods to your diet this spring so that you can load up on antioxidants and flush these free radicals out.
Dark Chocolate
Is it too good to be true? Could dark chocolate help us detox from toxins? Well, yes! However, make sure that it's high quality. Not all dark chocolate is created equal. The less refined the chocolate, the better. How do you know if it's less refined? Look at the labels. Usually, to find high-quality, antioxidant-rich dark chocolate, you'll need to look in a health food store. In most health food stores, you'll be able to find dark chocolate made from raw cacao, which is what you want. Look for the word "cacao." Cacao is basically the same as cocoa, but it's the purest form of chocolate you can get. You can even find cacao powder in a lot of stores, which is great for adding to smoothies or making your own variety of hot chocolate!
Blueberries
Blueberries are more famous for being high in antioxidants, and for good reason. Blueberries contain the highest amount of anthocyanins than most other fruits and vegetables on the market. Plus, they're delicious and easy to eat! It's best to get fresh, organic blueberries, because conventional blueberries are often loaded with pesticides. Anthocyanins have been known to help reduce risks for heart disease, as well as signs of aging.
Red Cabbage
This is one antioxidant-rich vegetable that is often overlooked. Yet, there are many wonderful things we can do with red cabbage! It's actually more purple than red, and the purple color comes from the anthocyanins found in this cabbage. Red cabbage is also high in Vitamins C, K, and A. Add it to your salads or toss it in with a stir-fry! I also love to ferment red cabbage by storing it in an air-tight jar or container with water that has been blended with jalapenos, garlic, and sea salt. Leave it sitting in a dark place for about 3-6 weeks. After opening, store it in the fridge.
Beets
Who doesn't love beets in the spring? These are great antioxidant-rich vegetables, also high in folate, potassium, iron, and fiber. The antioxidants found in beets are called betalains. Betalains have been known to help reduce inflammation. Beets are great roasted. Add them to a salad with goat cheese or feta, or just eat them plain with some sea salt and olive oil!
Things to Remember
Since pesticides are a toxin, it is best to buy organic foods to get the most benefit from these antioxidants. Try not to overcook, as this can reduce the medicinal value of your food. Remember to shop for the freshest varieties of these foods, and enjoy!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Coral Springs, Fla.