15 Benefits Of Antioxidants And Their Best Sources

The benefits of antioxidants in promoting overall health are well-researched in the health industry. They combat harmful free radicals and stop the progression of many diseases. Some antioxidants are produced within the body, but some of them should be supplemented through a balanced diet. Learn more about antioxidants, foods rich in antioxidants, and their role in promoting health in this article. Scroll down!

Know Your Ingredient: Antioxidant

What Is It?
A substance found in fruits and vegetables that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals.

What Are Its Benefits?
It may boost cardiovascular health, enhance cognitive function, strengthen hair, and promote vision.

Who Can Consume It?
Anyone can consume them except people going through cancer treatment and those on blood thinners.

How Often?
You can consume 3000 – 5000 ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units per day.

Caution
Excess consumption may lead to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers and cause diarrhea, rashes, and dizziness.

How Are Antioxidants Good For You?

As the name states, antioxidants are any substances that inhibit oxidation and fight potentially damaging oxidizing agents inside a living organism. These oxidizing agents, more commonly called free radicals, are molecules produced when our body breaks down food or is exposed to pollution, toxins, or radiation of any kind.

Antioxidants protect the cells from damage caused by these free radicals. Hence, they are the watchful protectors. They guard our systems, day in and day out. Well, we will get to the details in a bit. But before that, let’s take a glimpse at the different types of antioxidants in the next section.

Types Of Antioxidants

Antioxidants can be classified into two major groups: natural and synthetic. Some of the most common natural ones are vitamins C and E, which can be found in fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Minerals like selenium and zinc also play a crucial role in combating oxidative stress. Phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols are another group of antioxidants found in plants. They can help shield our bodies from harm. The flavonoids in tea and the resveratrol in red wine are also examples of natural antioxidants. Additionally, enzymes known as endogenous antioxidants are produced within our bodies. These include catalase and superoxide dismutase, which help scavenge free radicals (1). Now let’s take a look at the foods abundant in these antioxidants.

What Are The Foods Rich In Antioxidants?

The antioxidant content in any given food is measured by its ORAC score.

Called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, the ORAC score quantifies the total antioxidant capacity of any particular food item. The higher the score, the more the antioxidant capacity. The following are foods rich in antioxidants, which include a combination of herbs, fruits, vegetables, drinks, and supplements.

Antioxidant-Rich Fruits

• Elderberries (14,697)
• Wild blueberries (9,621)
• Boiled artichoke (9,416)
• Strawberries (5,938)
• Blackberries (5,905)
• Red grapes (1,837)

Antioxidant-Rich Vegetables

• Cooked Russet potato (4,649)
• Green raw kale (1,770)
• Raw broccoli (1,510)
• Raw spinach (1,513)

Antioxidant-Rich Nuts

• Pecans (17,940)
• Brazil nuts (1,419)

Antioxidant-Rich Legumes And Grains

• Red sorghum grain (14,000)
• Kidney beans (8,606)
• Whole grain bread (1,421)

Antioxidant-Rich Herbs

• Cloves (314,446)
• Cinnamon (267,537)
• Oregano (159,277)
• Turmeric (102,700)
• Cumin (76,800)
• Dried parsley (74,359)
• Basil (67,553)
• Ginger (28,811)
• Dark chocolate (20,816)

Antioxidant-Rich Drinks

• Green tea (1,253)
• Red wine (3,607)

And then, there are antioxidant supplements, which include glutathione, quercetin, lutein, vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, selenium, and essential oils (lavender and frankincense).

Troy Parsons, a blogger, expresses a deep appreciation for green tea, outlining its numerous benefits. He mentioned, “The reason I prefer green tea over black tea or coffee is the calm but energetic and focused stimulatory effect I get from the caffeine content when it is naturally paired with L-Theanine (i).” He recommends matcha green tea for an even higher antioxidant content and suggests opting for green tea over other caffeinated beverages.

Trivia

In the food industry, antioxidants were first used as additive preservatives to delay the deterioration of edibles.

Including these foods in your diet can amp up your antioxidant intake. Which ultimately makes your life better in various ways.

What Are The Benefits Of Antioxidants?

Known for fighting free radicals and the resultant inflammation, antioxidants boost heart health and improve cognitive function.

They also enhance immunity and boost vision, and their anti-inflammatory properties help ward off chronic ailments like arthritis. Adequate intake of antioxidants can also delay aging and improve hair health.

1. Boost Cardiovascular Health

Though not all antioxidants were found to protect against heart disease (this doesn’t mean they would instead cause it), some, like vitamin C, E, selenium, copper, and zinc have powerful cardioprotective activity. It’s been found that adequate vitamin C intake can cut the risk of stroke by as much as 50 percent.

There are hundreds of other studies that state that intake of plant-based diets loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables can protect the heart and prevent cardiovascular issues (2). Fruits and veggies are loaded with antioxidants, and this proves the point.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), approximately 16.5 million Americans over the age of 20 had coronary artery disease in 2018, and 55% of those individuals were men. In addition, World Health Organization revealed that ischemic heart disease caused nearly nine million deaths in 2016. But, intake of a diet that is rich in antioxidants helps reduce the risk of heart disease.

Did You Know?

Polyunsaturated fats increase the need for more antioxidants. This is because polyunsaturated fats are very sensitive to oxidation and free-radical formation, and thus require a greater amount of protection (and thus intake of antioxidants such as vitamin E, polyphenolicsⁱ  Naturally occurring micronutrients found in plants that aid in digestion, improve brain function, and reduce cancer risk. , etc).

2. Improves Cognitive Health

Antioxidants were found to improve memory and cut the risk of dementia. Antioxidant vitamins and minerals such as vitamins C and E, selenium, and zinc have been shown to function as natural “anti-depressants” especially when taken in their most bioavailable, organic forms (e.g. natural vitamin E complex, zinc (glycinate), selenium yeast) – which have greater potency, and provide greater benefit overall than their inorganic variants. Antioxidants also promote improved vascular health – improving microcirculation in the small blood vessels in the brain – thereby enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery to nutrient hungry neurons (i.e. brain cells).

Antioxidants work as mediators in the central nervous system, thereby preventing inflammation and boosting cognitive health. Most brain diseases are associated with oxidative damage (aka “oxidative stress”), which can be prevented and often improved with a higher intake of antioxidants. These powerful substances also play a role in preventing other ailments like Alzheimer’s disease (3). Greater consumption of carotenoids (another branch of antioxidants) from foods such as sweet potatoes, yams, and carrots was linked to cognitive benefits in adults (4).

Trivia

Carotenoids refer to over 750 richly colored pigments that occur naturally in plants and are responsible for the orange, yellow, and red coloration in fruits and vegetables.

3. Aid Arthritis Treatment

One study has found that antioxidant intervention can improve the clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis and offer relief. This can be attributed to the anti-inflammatory properties of antioxidants (5). The Arthritis Foundation also acknowledges the importance of antioxidants. Both the anthocyaninsⁱ  Water-soluble pigments found in flowers, fruits, and plants high in anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. in berries and vitamin C in citrus fruits can combat free radicals that are responsible for arthritis symptoms (6).

4. Can Help Prevent Cancer

Antioxidants prevent free radical damage, which has been found to cause cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, even dietary antioxidant supplements can aid cancer treatment – given their ability to fight oxidative stress and inflammation (7).

Another study states how total antioxidant status can decline during cancer treatment – which means that antioxidant supplementation can help the treatment process (8).

However, we suggest you take your doctor’s advice in this regard – as some studies also suggest that high levels of antioxidants (e.g. synthetic vitamin E; dl-alpha-tocopheryl) might interfere with one’s recovery and certain treatments (9).

5. Improve Vision

High dose antioxidant vitamins can prevent the progression of and even reverse age-related macular degeneration and other vision issues. Reports by the American Optometric Association state that antioxidant supplements vitamins C and E (natural form; d-alpha tocopherol) can reduce cataract progression in less than three years (10).

Other important antioxidants for vision health are lutein and zeaxanthin, which also prevent age-related macular degeneration (11). And then, we have vitamin A, which nourishes and protects the retina and other eye structures, and is important in preventing night blindness.

6. Enhance Immunity

Consuming more fruits and vegetables is one sure shot way to boost your immunity (12). Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E, and carotenoids boost immune health.

One report published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition says that dietary antioxidant supplementation protects the immune system and contributes to healthy aging (13). They also help treat other issues related to a weak immunity – like colds and bronchial infections.

7. Might Promote Liver Health

Liver issues usually occur when the organ undergoes severe oxidative stress. And this is where antioxidants come into the picture. They can protect and restore normal liver activity (14).

8. Can Improve Fertility

Studies are limited here. However, one study states that antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, zinc, and selenium can improve sperm quality and fertility (15).

9. Treat Urinary Tract Infection

Studies have shown that urinary tract infection can lead to oxidative stress and depletion of antioxidant enzymesⁱ  Specific proteins found in the body that act as a catalyst and influence certain chemical reactions. – which is why supplementing with antioxidants can improve the condition (16).

Polyphenols, another class of antioxidants rich in berries and other fruits, are known to fight UTIs. These compounds reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, and help bind iron in the urine, preventing it from fueling bacterial growth.

10. Are Good For Kidney Health

Various animal models have shown that antioxidant supplementation can slow down the progression of chronic kidney disease (17).  Antioxidants can be particularly beneficial for anyone on dialysis.

11. Can Help Bodybuilders

Antioxidants are known to maximize the training effects of exercise. They also help deal with the oxidative stress of exercise. And since oxidative stress can also contribute to injuries and impair healing, taking antioxidants can aid recovery and even accelerate it. Antioxidants, especially vitamin C, can aid in tissue repair – as exercise is known to cause the formation of free radicals, which can affect muscle tissue and recovery time.

12. Can Benefit Smokers

A number of studies have shown that healthy intake of a variety of fruits and vegetables can be a protective strategy for smokers (18). Smokers were also observed to have increased oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant activity – which is why taking antioxidants can offer a number of protective benefits.

13. Can Treat Acne

Free radicals travel through the body, stealing electrons from healthy cells. Through this mechanism, they can promote inflammation, which is one of the common drivers for acne and other inflammatory skin conditions (e.g. eczema, dermatitis). As antioxidants neutralize these free radicals, they can help reduce inflammation, and prevent and treat acne. They also protect the skin by preventing toxins from penetrating the dermal layer.

Vitamins C and E are two such antioxidants that can fight acne by preventing the resultant inflammation. Vitamin E also promotes skin repair and healing, thereby treating acne scars. Other important antioxidants for skin preventing and treating acne include selenium and zinc.

14. Delay Aging

It is the free radicals that cause the signs of aging. They cause cell damage and inflammation and lead to wrinkles and age spots. Since antioxidants counter the effects of free radicals, they can play a major role in delaying the signs of aging. Incorporating foods for anti-aging skin rich in antioxidants, such as blueberries, avocado, strawberries, etc, into your diet can help slow the aging process.

15. Strengthen Hair

Antioxidant supplements can improve hair health and treat nutritional deficiencies that can compromise the health of your hair. And since your hair is regularly exposed to sunlight and pollution, it is constantly being bombarded with free-radicals. Antioxidants can combat this, protecting delicate hair follicles, and prevent hair fall caused by oxidative stress.

These are the various ways antioxidants benefit you. But there arises one important question – how do they work?

How Do Antioxidants Work In Your Body?

How antioxidants work is an important piece of science. If we get into a bit of fundamentals, we know that our human body is made of various elements, atoms, and electrons. And two or more atoms form a molecule. A molecule can only be stable if it has the right number of electrons. If it loses an electron when it shouldn’t, it can turn into a free radical. As a free radical, it is highly unstable and can react with other molecules, causing damage to them. It can even cause a chain reaction leading other molecules to turn into free radicals, which can cause havoc in the system.

This is where antioxidants step into the picture. They donate electrons to free radicals, thereby effectively neutralizing them. However, we need a balance between antioxidants and free radicals. When free radicals outnumber antioxidants, it leads to oxidative stress.

Did You Know?

Even free radicals have a role to play in our body. The immune system uses free radicals to kill bacteria, viruses, and fungi that could otherwise infect us.

So, as we said, antioxidants are the warriors. They protect your system. But wait, there’s a catch – an excess of them can be bad.

High dose antioxidant supplementation can interfere with cancer treatment and cardiovascular health (19). It also affects how the body balances the different levels of nutrients and chemicals. Also, not all studies support the positive effects of antioxidants in fighting and disease prevention(20).

So, what do we do? Simple. Take your doctor’s (or nutritionist’s) advice.

Infographic: 7 Ways Antioxidants Improve Your Health

Now you know how crucial antioxidants are to promote overall health and well-being. As mentioned above, you should add antioxidants into your diet through fruits, vegetables, and supplements to gain their benefits. Maybe you are trying to get your family on board too! Check out the infographic below to share their benefits.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most powerful antioxidant?

Glutathione (a combination of three amino acids) is a powerful antioxidant that your body produces. It helps protect the cellular damage and exhibits anti-aging properties. Vitamin E is the most popular yet powerful antioxidant in nature.

Do antioxidants make you poop?

Yes. A higher intake of antioxidants has been found to lead to increased stool output within 48 hours (21).

How much antioxidants do we need daily?

There is no recommended intake of ORAC (measure of antioxidant capacity of different foods) units. However, an optimal intake of 3000-5000 ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) is considered safe.

Is vitamin D an antioxidant?

There is little known evidence for the antioxidant role of vitamin D. It contributes to reduced oxidative stress by regulating several genes involved in the antioxidant defense (22). However, more studies are needed to understand this benefit of vitamin D.

Illustration: Benefits Of Antioxidants And Their Best Sources

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Antioxidants provide numerous health benefits by protecting our bodies from free radicals and ROS. Learn more from the video below!

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Timothy M. MarshallPhD

   

Dr. Timothy M. Marshall is a Neuropharmacologist and Nutritional Biochemist with over 25 years of experience and a passion for natural approaches to healing and nutrient therapeutics. He is on the board of Healing Arizona Veterans and is the author of the landmark publications, "The Next Generation in Brain Recovery and Neuroregeneration" (2017), and "Lithium as a Nutrient" (2015) in the Journal of American Physicians and Surgeons.

Read full bio of Dr. Timothy M. Marshall

Ravi Teja TadimallaCo-Editor-in-Chief

 

Ravi Teja Tadimalla is a Co-Editor-in-Chief and a published author. He has been in the digital media field for over a decade. He graduated from SRM University, Chennai, and has a Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition & Research from Wageningen University.

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Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief

Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Aparna MallampalliHealth & Wellness Writer

Aparna is a professor-turned-content writer with over 5 years of experience in life sciences. Her passion for writing and interest in the healthcare and wellness industry pushed her toward a career in content writing. She has a master’s degree in microbiology from Osmania University, Hyderabad, and a diploma in nutrition from Fab Academy.

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