Antioxidants

Many nutrient-dense foods are rich in antioxidants, including certain types of berries, nuts, and vegetables. These foods have also been linked to other health benefits and may protect against chronic disease.

Antioxidants are compounds produced in your body and found in foods. They help defend your cells from damage caused by potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals.

When free radicals accumulate, they can cause oxidative stress. This may damage your DNA and other important structures in your cells.

Chronic oxidative stress can increase your risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.

Fortunately, eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help increase your blood antioxidant levels to decrease oxidative stress and reduce the risk of these diseases.

Scientists use several tests to measure the antioxidant content of foods.

One of the best tests is the FRAP (ferric reducing ability of plasma) analysis. It measures the antioxidant content of foods by determining how well they can neutralize a specific free radical.

The higher the FRAP value, the more antioxidants the food contains.

ntioxidants are compounds that your body makes naturally. You can also get them from foods.

They protect your body from potentially harmful molecules known as free radicals, which can accumulate and promote oxidative stress. Oxidative stress raises the risk of heart disease, cancers, type 2 diabetes, and many other chronic conditions.

Eating a diet rich in antioxidants can help neutralize free radicals and reduce the risk of these chronic diseases.

By eating a wide variety of the foods in this article, you can boost your blood levels of antioxidants and reap their many health benefits.