You've probably seen the word "antioxidant" referenced hundreds of times in food and nutrition articles and advertising. A Google search of the term generates a staggering 132 million results. But what exactly are antioxidants, how do they benefit your health, and what are the best ways to consume them? Here's a primer on antioxidant basics.
What-Are-Antioxidants-AdobeStock_205023540 and in response to exercise, sun exposure, and environmental pollutants like smog and cigarette smoke. The oxidative stress triggered by free radicals damages healthy cells and is thought to play a role in a variety of diseases, including cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and heart disease. Oxidative stress also negatively affects aging.
Antioxidants essentially serve as bodyguards to protect healthy cells from free radical attacks. By doing so, they help maintain proper physiological function and guard your health.
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Top sources of antioxidants
There are hundreds, if not thousands, of substances that act as antioxidants, from vitamin C to flavonoids and polyphenols. A wide range of plant-based foods provide antioxidants, so they're easy to come by. Some of the top sources include berries, cocoa, herbs and spices, beans, artichokes, apples, nuts and seeds, cherries, dark leafy greens, coffee and tea, whole grains, grapes, tomatoes, potatoes and sweet potatoes, avocado, and pomegranate.
How to boost your antioxidant intake
To take in a broader spectrum of antioxidants, as well as vitamins, minerals, and fiber, aim for a variety of plant-based food groups of different colors. I advise my clients to build five cups of veggies and two cups of fruit into each day's worth of meals. For example, include one cup of veggies at breakfast, two at lunch and two at dinner, in addition to a cup of fruit at breakfast, and another as part of a daily snack.
Another way to up your antioxidant intake is to replace processed foods with whole, plant-based foods. Trade a breakfast pastry for a bowl of 'zoats' (zucchini oatmeal) topped with fruit and nuts. In place of a sandwich or wrap, go for a bowl made with a generous base of greens topped with beans, brown rice, and seasoned guacamole. Snack on fruit with nuts or seeds, or veggies with hummus. Satisfy your sweet tooth with dark chocolate. Sprinkle cinnamon into your morning coffee, and infuse water or tea with antioxidant-rich herbs and bits of fruit. It's impossible to take in too many antioxidants from whole foods. Plus, choosing antioxidant-rich foods can elevate the overall nutritional quality of your diet.
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Too many antioxidants via supplements could be harmful
The goal isn't to load up on as many antioxidants as possible, though. There are high-dose antioxidant supplements out there, but they aren't the best way to protect your body. In fact, some research has linked the use of high-dose beta-carotene supplements to an increased risk of lung cancer in smokers. Taking high-dose supplements of the antioxidant vitamin E has been associated with an increased risk of both hemorrhagic stroke (a type of stroke caused by bleeding in the brain) and prostate cancer.
The best way to consume antioxidants is in whole, plant-based foods. This is partly because antioxidants work in synergy with one another and with other bioactive compounds. In other words, they're one ingredient in a complex recipe for health protection.
Bottom line on antioxidants
Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, is Health's contributing nutrition editor, a New York Times best-selling author, and a private practice performance nutritionist who has consulted for five professional sports teams.
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