Falling in love with yourself is the key to having a healthy body and skin.
Human body has its own natural mechanism to fight the adverse effects of free radicals through the production of Antioxidants. Antioxidants are the substances which prohibit the oxidation of harmful molecules in the human body. They disrupt the chain reaction of the free radicals, which if left unchecked can cause severe health risks.
What if your body falls short of these antioxidants? The free radicals produced by your body can cause a varied range of chronic diseases and illnesses, and therefore you need a continual supply of antioxidants through external sources, so as to maintain the right balance in your body.
Best Naturally Occurring Sources of Antioxidants
Majority of the times people resort to artificial food sources which are available in the form of medicines, without being aware of the presence of abundant natural sources of antioxidants. If you wish to have a healthy body and glowing skin, then you must incorporate antioxidant-rich foods in your daily diet.
This article will enlighten you about some naturally occurring foods that can be a great source of antioxidants for your body, particularly your skin.
1. Almonds
Almonds are the richest source of Vitamin E which is a great antioxidant and can help fight sun damage. You can include almonds in your diet in any form. Just pop a few of them every morning, or make them a part of delicious desserts or ice cream. Apart from protecting your skin from the harmful sunrays, almonds will also help maintain your body weight and leave you energetic.
You can even try almond oil which has amazing benefits for your skin. It cleanses your skin and helps in the prevention of acne and other skin diseases. If you are a victim of premature aging then almond oil can provide a renewed vigour to your skin.
2. Tomatoes
Yes, tomatoes, which are easily available to us, are the richest naturally occurring source of lycopene, a strong antioxidant. Lycopene is quite effective in fighting skin-aging free radicals. A lesser known fact is that foods rich in fats aid in the optimum absorption of lycopene in the human body. Therefore, try to pair tomatoes with olive oil, or some other vegetable oils.
You can give tomatoes their rightful place in soups, salads, and sandwiches.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli, a member of the cabbage family contains powerful antioxidants which can help you maintain good health. The vitamin C content of broccoli is much higher than that contained in oranges and other citrus fruits. It is also packed with carotenoids, beta carotene and other antioxidants that can bolster your immunity, apart from reducing bad cholesterol from your body.
The rich fiber content in broccoli also helps in natural detoxification of the body. You’ll also have a glowing and infection free skin when the overall immunity of your body increases. Broccoli has sufficient quantities of vitamin K and amino acids, which are essential components of good skin health.
The only thing that you need to keep in mind is that do not overcook the vegetable, else it will destroy the natural nutrients present in it. Thus eating broccoli on a regular basis can help fight cancer and also improve your heart, bone, and skin health.
4. Garlic
Whether you long for bright and healthy skin or shiny hair, garlic has proved to be of great significance since time immemorial. Several studies have found out amazing medicinal properties of this herb. Garlic is rich in compounds like allicin and selenium, which help in increasing the power of antioxidants in the human body. Garlic acquires its antifungal and anti-aging properties from the large quantities of allicin present in it.
Including garlic in your daily food can have innumerable benefits for your heart, skin, and hair. Garlic also controls your body metabolism and helps in fighting various fungal and viral infections such as skin sores and common cough and cold.
Due to its strong antioxidizing properties, it is advisable to use garlic in small quantities.
5. Pomegranate
Pomegranate is a delicious, nutrient-rich food packed with a unique and powerful antioxidant called punicalagin. Pomegranate juice can help fight free radicals which are capable of oxidizing ‘bad’ cholesterol in human body. The phytochemicals present in pomegranate seeds help in maintaining healthy blood pressure. Apart from being effective against heart diseases and cancer causing organisms, pomegranate is also used on a wide scale in various skincare products due to its antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
Make it a habit of eating fresh pomegranates every day, especially during the rainy season. You could also consider storing some arils in the deep freezer so as to enjoy this fruit all round the year.
6. Green Tea
A cup of green tea is loaded with large amounts of bioactive compounds such as, catechins and flavonoids which act as powerful antioxidants. These and many other antioxidants present in green tea leaves impart highly useful medicinal properties to it by reducing the activity of disease-causing free radicals in human body. Green tea also contains memory boosting compounds and helps in burning excess fat by enhancing the metabolic rate in a living organism.
Antioxidants are proven to have positive effects in preventing and controlling cancer. Green tea is the best-known source of such biological compounds which can reduce your risk of getting various types of cancer.
So if you wish to lead a healthy and happy life, consider making a cup of green tea a regular part of your daily routine. If the taste of green tea prevents you from drinking it on a regular basis, then you could even try the iced tea version, or use it as a base for smoothies.
7. Yogurt
The easiest way to replenish the daily requirement of riboflavin in your body can be fulfilled by a cup of plain low-fat yogurt. Riboflavin or Vitamin B is an essential component in promoting the antioxidant activity of the compound glutathione. It reduces the risk of heart ailments and cancer to a great extent. Yogurt is also known to cure stomach diseases since ages.
External application of yogurt has excellent benefits for the skin. You can make different combinations of masks using yogurt, rose water, honey and lemon to moisturize your skin or to prevent blemishes and pigmentation.
Use this brilliant dairy product for breakfast, or to garnish your desserts and other delicious dishes.
8. Dark Chocolate
A bar of dark chocolate isn’t just a treat to yourself but is also filled with excellent antioxidants like the polyphenols and flavonoids. Dark chocolate is useful in fighting the unbalanced free radicals in the human body, and also provides your body the natural capacity to detox the environmental toxins that you are exposed to on a daily basis. The content of antioxidants in cocoa of dark chocolate is found to be even higher than that of red wine and tea.
Small traces of this bitter tasting chocolate can help ward off chronic diseases like cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Eating small amounts of dark chocolate on a daily basis also gives you a soft and healthy skin.
Next time when you go to buy a chocolate bar, ditch the white chocolate and choose the dark chocolate. It’s cocoa and sugar combination is just perfect for your health.
9. Berries
Berries have the highest amount of antioxidants among all the fruits. So whatever is your choice, be it raspberries, cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, or strawberries, you just need to get a daily dose. Keep them in the freezer and gulp few once in a while, or put them in a blender along with yogurt to make delicious smoothies. These berries will provide all the antioxidants required to guard your body against the free radicals and help you stay young and healthy.
Even if the fresh fruit isn’t available you can get your daily dose through muffins and tarts.
10. Ginger
Ginger is comprised of more than 25 different antioxidants. Thus it is capable of fighting different diseases in different parts of the body. Ginger root possesses exceptional medicinal properties and is an effective cure for various chronic disorders including motion sickness. The widespread antioxidants present in ginger protect the body cells against oxidative stress of the free radicals. You can also use it to cure an upset stomach and sore throat. Its antioxidative properties are also found to be effective in the treatment of headaches, inflammation, and nausea.
It is quite easy to get the daily dose of this spice in your diet by including it in your food and beverages.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are various other natural sources of antioxidants like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, eggs, red wine, blueberries, coffee, etc.
Antioxidants have great prevent blemishes and pigmentation. Increasing the intake of foods containing antioxidants or antioxidant triggering compounds can provide protection against various eye and heart disorders, memory problems, and immunity issues.
Explore various natural foods and have a happy day!
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