Six Foods High In Antioxidants

Discussions about the importance of a diet rich in antioxidants are becoming more and more mainstream.
Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells inflammation or free radicals - unstable molecules produced by the body in response to environmental pressures. Many common vitamins, such as vitamins A, C and E are all types of antioxidants, as well as other essential minerals that contribute to healthy bodily functions.
Here, Built for Athletes has rounded up seven sources of antioxidants.

Blueberries
Several studies indicate that blueberries contain the highest amount of antioxidants among common fruits and vegetables. 
The antioxidants in the berry have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure.

Dark Chocolate
Although it is relatively high in calories in comparison to most other foods on this list, dark chocolate is widely known to have health benefits, and offering a high proportion of antioxidants is one of them.
It actually contains over 50 per cent more antioxidants than blueberries and cocoa intake has been linked with a decrease in blood pressure.

Strawberries
Strawberries contain a type of antioxidant called anthocyanins which reduces bad cholesterol levels to lower the risk of heart disease. Anthocyanins is what gives strawberries their red colour, and ones that contain higher amounts are often a brighter red.

Beetroot
Anthocyanins are also found in beetroot, which is another source of antioxidants. They have particularly high values of an antioxidant called betalains, which have been shown to reduce the risk of gastro-intestinal (GI) cancer.

Beans
Many types of beans contain antioxidants, with green broad beans having the highest concentration. Other types carry the antioxidant kaempferol which can reduce chronic inflammation and slow down the growth of cancerous cells.

Spinach
Spinach is high in a number of vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acid, iron, and calcium. It also carries antioxidants called lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect the eyes from damage caused by long-term environmental factors such as exposure to UV rays.