Antioxidants are substances important to the body because they remove the free radicals that arise in chemical reactions and are related to premature aging, facilitating intestinal transit and decreasing the risk of various diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease. See more about What Antioxidants Are and What Antioxidants Are For.
Some antioxidant-rich foods important for your well-being and health are:
1. Green Tea
- Benefit: Green tea in addition to decreasing the chances of tumors and cancer, helps to lose weight because it accelerates the metabolism, slows aging, facilitates digestion, regulates the intestine and combats the retention of fluids and cholesterol.
- How to do: Add 1 teaspoon of green tea in 1 cup of boiling water, let stand for 5 minutes, and strain the following. Drink 3 to 4 cups a day or take 1 capsule of green tea per day. Learn more about green tea in capsules.
2. Flaxseed
- Benefit: Flaxseed is rich in omega-3s, preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease and improving brain function. In addition, it helps to decrease PMS and menopause symptoms, to lose weight and to fight against constipation, cholesterol and blood sugar.
- How to consume: Flaxseed can be consumed in its natural form by being added to yogurt, juice, salad, soup or pancake.
3. Grape juice
- Benefit: Rosy grape juice in addition to helping reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, helps strengthen the immune system.
- How to consume: It is advised to drink between 1 to 2 glasses of concentrated grape juice (already diluted) per day to get all the benefits of the grape for health. One should buy a good quality product and read on the packaging label its correct form of dilution.
4. Tomato
- Benefit: Tomato helps to lower the risk of prostate cancer because it is rich in lycopene, but also decreases fluid retention and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.
- How to consume: it can be consumed in its natural form, added in salads, for example, in the form of jelly or cooked in rice or sauteed. Another good form of consumption is making a tomato juice. To do this simply hit the blender or mixer 2 ripe tomatoes with a little water and season with salt and laurel powder.
5. Carrot
- Benefit: Carrot decreases premature aging and improves skin quality, preventing the early formation of wrinkles or blemishes. In addition, it helps to brown the skin, to prevent cardiovascular diseases and to lose weight.
- How to consume: the carrot can be eaten raw, toothpick-shaped, in the salad or cooked in the soup or the braised, but the carrot juice is also a good option.
6. Citrus fruits
- Benefit: Citrus fruits such as orange, lemon or tangerine, for example, help lower cholesterol and control blood sugar, help prevent cancer and play an important role in iron absorption, preventing anemia.
- How to consume: eat 3 to 5 citrus fruits of about 120 g per day.
It is important to include these functional foods in daily meals to ensure health and prevent the onset of illness.
