Many people have probably heard of antioxidants but few are familiar with what they are and how they work.
Antioxidants are compounds prevalent in fruits and vegetables that inhibit oxidation because they can fight free radicals present in the body. These free radicals in the body are produced as a by-product of normal metabolic processes or from exposure to harmful factors such as ozone, X-rays, air pollutants, and chemicals. High levels of free radicals in the body have been associated with cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Thus antioxidants play an important role in the body by helping to regulate free radical levels.
Although the body can produce its own antioxidants it is also important to get them through your diet. Many fruits and vegetables contain large amounts of vital antioxidants such as vitamin E, vitamin A, beta-carotene, and epigallacatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Foods especially high in antioxidants include green tea, berries, dark leafy greens, and beans.
For more information and a list of foods high in antioxidants, check out the links below.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/multimedia/antioxidants/sls-20076428
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325873#spinach
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2841576/
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