Antioxidants are very popular today. And there is a reason. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals that cause cell damage, which can ultimately lead to heart and cancer diseases. Blueberries have been feature as one of the best antioxidants, and even better if they are wild. I love blueberries, but in our rush to embrace the latest antioxidant food craze (blueberries, cranberries, pomegranates) we’re ignoring some very high-antioxidant foods that are probably sitting ignored in our cupboards.
What could possibly be higher in antioxidants than my beloved wild blueberry? Well, how about the small red bean? The small red bean actually has more antioxidants per serving size than the wild blueberry. And the red kidney bean and pinto bean have more antioxidants per serving size than a serving of cultivated blueberries.
What are other foods high in antioxidants? For starters, there are artichoke hearts, blackberries, prunes, pecans, spinach, kale, russet potatoes, plums, dark chocolate, and beets. And, no, that’s not a mistake. Russet potatoes are on the list of foods high in antioxidants. Finally, I can’t write about antioxidants and not mention my love for matcha green tea.
The truth is, there are many common foods high in antioxidants, and you should not just restrict yourself to one particular food source. Why? Well, have you probably heard the expression, “eat a rainbow diet?” That refers to the fact that foods are in different color “families” containing various types of antioxidants, which have different benefits. For example, the yellow-orange color family of peaches and nectarines help our immune systems. The purple-red color family of foods (pomegranates, plums, berries) helps reduce inflammation. It’s essential to eat foods from all color groups to reap the full benefits of antioxidants.
So, give your blueberries some company at the dinner table. Invite some beans, spinach, potatoes, and artichoke hearts. Enjoy your antioxidants!