If you are interested in your health and overall wellness, you really need to know not only what antioxidants are and how they work, but, even more importantly, which foods have the highest antioxidant content in order to know how to eat better and smarter.

Knowing what antioxidants are and why they are important in the diet with regards to overall health and wellness, plus also knowing what foods are high in antioxidants can help everyone eat better and smarter. There are actually a wide range of different types of foods, many which are common items in the daily diet, that are high in antioxidants and provide a great number of health benefits for your body.

There is a misconception that the very highest amount of antioxidants is found in tea and, in particular, in green tea. While green tea is very high in antioxidants, there is one food item that actually has a higher content. Believe it or not, dark chocolate is the winner of the high antioxidant food category.

It important to understand that this refers only to dark chocolate, and does not include milk chocolates or white chocolates. Dark chocolate is produced from the cocoa bean and is in the purest and least diluted form, which is why dark chocolate is so rich and distinct in flavor. Although high in antioxidants, eating large quantities of dark chocolate isn’t healthy either – just a small amount in the diet is beneficial.

Dark chocolate contains flavonols, which are a type of flavinoid. Further breaking down the types of antioxidants in dark chocolate you will find procyanidins, epicatechins and catechins, this last one being the same antioxidant found in green tea.

Berries have long been recognized as a healthy addition to the diet, but now researchers and nutritionists know why. Berries, particularly strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and kiwi fruit, provide a large amount of antioxidants to the diet, plus they also add fiber, vitamins and great taste. Consider eating berries on your cereal or as a dessert rather than cake or pie. Berries also make an easy to carry snack for kids and are simple to have at your desk for between meal cravings.

Many vegetables are also high antioxidant food types and generally they include the green leafy vegetables. Some good examples of high antioxidant content vegetables include green and red cabbage, kale, spinach, broccoli and cauliflower.

All of these vegetables are in the cruciferous group of vegetables along with bok choy, and Brussels sprouts. Eating these vegetables on a daily basis, or even adding one or two servings per week in addition to your regular diet, will help increase the amount of antioxidants available for your body to use.

Whenever planning to add more high antioxidant foods to your diet, be sure to do so reasonably and slowly, not all at once. In addition don’t only eat foods that are high antioxidant foods, you also need to consume complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, brown rice and cereals; proteins such as lean meats and fish, as well as other vegetables and fruits. Keep in mind that eating in balance helps your body with vitamins and minerals that are also necessary in the production of antioxidants as well as in overall health.

About the Author:

Terry Roberts is a professional translator and linguist with a wide range of hobbies. His website, Healthful Living Today, gives great advice for everyone.

Article syndicated from Buzzle.com

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Dieting can be such a struggle. Many people think that in order to lose weight, they need to stop eating. And while it is important to cut back on sweets and other high calorie foods, it’s just as important to eat more of the foods that promote weight loss. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

1. Organic Citrus Fruits:

Citrus fruits, like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, tangerines, and limes are foods that promote weight loss as they contain high concentrations of vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. This vitamin is an excellent fat burner. Vitamin C reduces the effectiveness of fat by reducing it content and liquefying or diluting fat. Vitamin C also helps to reduce the levels of harmful cholesterol in the blood. Boost the vitamin C in your diet by adding one or two citrus fruits to your diet every day. This will not only help you break down fat, it will also help reduce your cholesterol level.

2. Whole Grains:

Whole grains are high in fiber have a low glycemic index. This means that they raise blood sugar levels relatively slowly after eating. Foods with a low glycemic index can help curb the appetite and help you to feel full for longer. Whole grain foods that promote weight loss include whole wheat bread, fortified whole grain cereal, and brown rice.

3. Organic Non-GMO Soybeans:

Soybeans contain a chemical called lecithin that can shield your cells from accumulating fat. Lecithin prevents fat from forming on your cells and breaks down fat before it can accumulate in your body. Try adding soybeans to your diet once or twice a week. You can find soybeans at most health food stores or even in the frozen foods section of your local market.

4. Organic Apples & Berries:

Apples and many berries promote weight loss because they contain large amounts of pectin. This chemical is found in the cell walls of these fruits. When it enters the body, it helps to limit the amount of fat that the cells can absorb. Pectin is a soluble fiber that provides bulk and digests slowly, helping you to feel full.

Pectin also has a water binding property that allows it to absorb watery substances and carry them directly to the cells. These watery substances then bombard the cells and cause them to release fat deposits. You can get more pectin in your diet by eating loads of fresh apples and berries as well as applesauce. You can also try starting your day with a homemade smoothie that includes apples and berries to get your day started right.

5. Organic Garlic:

Garlic oil helps to protect the cells from the accumulation of fatty deposits. Garlic is also has a potent antibiotic that can be used to strengthen the immune system. You can add garlic as a flavor enhancer to a wide variety of foods that you normally eat.

6. Organic Black Beans:

Like most legumes, black beans are low in fat and packed with fiber. Black beans actually contain 15 grams of fiber per cup. This fiber fills you up and takes longer to digest so you feel fuller longer, which means you are less likely to snack.

7. Spicy Foods:

Many spicy foods, such as peppers, contain a chemical called capsaicin. Capsaicin has been shown to increase your body’s ability to burn fat and curb your appetite.

There are many foods that promote weight loss by filling you up so you feel satisfied, regulating your blood sugar levels, and stimulating your metabolism to help you burn fat. Boost your intake of these foods and you’ll have a better chance of losing the weight you need to lose.

Along with a healthy weight loss plan rich in foods that will help your body to shed excess fat more quickly, you may want to consider a weight loss supplement to give yourself an extra edge.