top twenty antioxidant richest foods

Oxygen, an essential element for life, can create damaging by-products during normal cellular metabolism. Antioxidants act as cell protectors and are believed to counteract these cellular by-products, called free radicals, and bind with them before they can cause damage. If left unchecked, free radicals may cause heart damage, cancer, cataracts, and a weak immune system.

Antioxidants are found in a wide variety of foods as well as being produced synthetically. They work by binding to the free radicals; transforming them into non-damaging compounds; or repairing cellular damage. Antioxidants come in a variety of forms and include Vitamin C, Vitamin E, the Carotenoids, and Selenium.

Fortunately, good sources of antioxidants include a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The highest concentrations are found in the deep or brightly colored ones.

Here’s a list from the USDA of the Top 20 antioxidant richest foods. Your diet should include as many of these as you can eat each day.

  1. Small red beans (dried)
  2. Wild blueberries
  3. Red kidney beans
  4. Pinto beans
  5. Blueberries (cultivated)
  6. Cranberries
  7. Artichokes (cooked)
  8. Blackberries
  9. Prunes
  10. Raspberries
  11. Strawberries
  12. Red Delicious apples
  13. Granny Smith apples
  14. Pecans
  15. Sweet cherries
  16. Black plums
  17. Russet potatoes (cooked)
  18. Black beans (dried)
  19. Plums
  20. Gala apples

Source: USDA