According the the USDA, antioxidants help prevent damage done to cells by removing free radicals from our bodies.  If we eat foods packed with antioxidants on a regular basis, we will be prepping our bodies to deal with the numerous life processes that have potential to damage our bodies and our health.

So what foods should you eat? Stick with fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and seeds, and spices.  If you make a decision to try and live a healthier lifestyle, including these super foods into your diet shouldn't be too difficult.  If your eating healthy, you're probably already eating fruits and vegetables on a daily basis. This guide will outline the foods you need to eat to make your body a free radical-fighting machine!

Here are the top 5 antioxidant foods! Remember to eat a variety of these antioxidant-rich foods and not just the top few.  In general, the darker the color food, the higher levels of antioxidants it contains. The USDA recommends consumming at least 3,000 ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) a day.

Type                       Food                        Serving Size     Antioxidant/Serving

Beans/Legumes     Red Beans               1/2 Cup                13727

Berries                   Wild Blueberries       1 Cup                   13427

Beans/Legumes    Red Kidney Beans    1/2 Cup                13259

Beans/Legumes    Pinto Beans              1/2 Cup                11864

Berries                   Blueberries               1 Cup                   9019

Here are other great super foods to include in your diet:

Fruits

Cherries, cranberries, strawberries, raspberries, prunes, pomegranates, grapes, oranges, and grapefruits

Blueberry Salad

Yams with Cranberries and Apples

Vegetables

Kale, chili peppers, red cabbage, peppers, artichoke, brussel sprouts, spinach and red beets

Kale Saute

Brussel Sprout Casserole

Legumes

Pinto beans, black beans and soy beans

Pinto Bean Soup

Black Bean Burrito Bake

Nuts and Seeds

Pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios and sunflower seeds

Spicy Orange Pecans

Asparagus with Hazelnuts

Spices

cloves, cinnamon, oregano

Spiced Tea

Veal Oregano

This list is by no means exhausted.  There are plenty of other great foods that will help keep you healthy - these, however, are the top-ranked antioxidant foods.

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