How to Benefit From Antioxidants

Dietary antioxidants benefit your health because they slow the chemical process of oxidation, which creates cholesterol deposits and narrowing of the arteries and can lead to various heart problems. A number of fruits, vegetables and herbs contain antioxidants. These include onions, tomatoes, garlic, rosemary, grapes and pomegranates. Antioxidant supplements also have been developed, and there are debates to the value of getting antioxidants directly from food or these supplements. Reap the benefits of antioxidants by adding them to your diet.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Try a tomato. Packed with Vitamin E, tomatoes provide better nutritional benefits than when the vitamin is taken alone. Researchers say tomatoes also contain beta carotene, lycopene and some flavonoids, which interact with the vitamin E for optimal benefit.
2. Take daily doses of vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene and selenium--through food or through a multivitamin. Recent studies further support the need for antioxidants and other nutrients to protect against cell damage. In some cases these even reduce risks of certain forms of cancer.
3. Eat berries. Colorful and flavorful, blueberries, cherries, red and black raspberries and others in this tasty family pack powerful antioxidants.
4. Enjoy Vitamin C filled citrus fruits, tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, leafy vegetables, strawberries and potatoes. These inhibit the formation of nitrosamine, a potentially dangerous carcinogen.
5. Chow on apricots, papaya, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, mangoes, carrots, pumpkin, red peppers, spinach, corn and cantaloupe to amp up your carotenoids, which perform anti-cancer functions.
6. Snack on citrus fruits which may detoxify cancer promoters.
7. Include cooked tomato products, watermelon and pink grapefruit in your diet. This group of carotenoids is protective against prostate and possibly other cancers.