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This is the one thing every healthy diet needs

To protect your body from disease and illness.

When it comes to food, one thing is for sure: there’s no shortage of ‘superfoods’ and diet trends in 2019. From paleo and veganism to the Mediterranean diet and celery juice, there’s always another food around the corner that suddenly has spectacular health benefits.

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However, one thing that has always been integral to our health, and will remain to be an important part of all diets, are antioxidants

According to leading health and wellness expert and antioxidant scientist, Dr Vincent, of Podcast Ask Dr Vincent, antioxidants are one of the most important things we should be consuming.

“We age and get sick because our cells become damaged and compromised. When oxygen is metabolised in our body, known as oxidation, it creates unstable molecules also known as free radicals.  These move through our body damaging our cells as well as DNA.”

“Most of us can cope with some free radicals, however when there are too many in our body, a lot of damage is done and this directly leads to serious diseases including cancer, liver disease, arthritis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s disease, and heart disease among others.”

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healthy antioxidant rich food
(Credit: Getty)

“Our lifestyle can also directly contribute to the buildup of free radicals, such as stress, smoking, alcohol, sunlight, pollution, lack of sleep and poor quality food.”

“Antioxidants move through the body, mopping up free radicals and neutralising them which effectively reduces the damage caused by oxidation. We can increase the number of antioxidants in our body through diet, however additional support through products such as activated phenolics is also a good approach.”

Foods that are rich in antioxidants:

“Plant foods are rich sources of antioxidants. They are most abundant in fruits and vegetables, as well as other foods including nuts, wholegrains and some meats, poultry and fish.”

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Leeks

Onion’garlic

Pumpkin

Mangoes

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Apricots

Carrots

Spinach

Parsley

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Milk

Nuts

Lean meat

Red capsicum

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Broccoli

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Soybeans

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Tofu

Lentils

Whole grains

Corn

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Tomatoes

Pink grapefruit

Watermelon

Sweet potatoes

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Kiwi fruit

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