Essential to health to help us function properly, antioxidants are also important because of the role they play in preventing aging and cancer. But where do you get them? Antioxidants are available in a wide selection of food sources and can also be purchased as supplements if you are not sure you can get enough through your diet. It is always preferable to get the nutrients, vitamins and minerals we need directly from our diet, but for some people with a hectic lifestyle, it may be hard for them to maintain a healthy balanced diet high in antioxidants.

The Best Antioxidant Foods

• Fruit is a great source of antioxidants in particular berries: raspberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and also plums. If you prefer apples it is important to select certain varieties as they have more antioxidants than others. Choose the gala, granny smith and red delicious varieties.

• The small red bean has been found to be the best source of antioxidants but other beans are also a good source including red kidney beans, pinto beans and black beans.

• Artichokes can be an acquired taste for many people but it is worthwhile learning to love this vegetable as it is included in the list of foods with the highest level of antioxidants.

If you are still not convinced and want or need to get them from supplements, just make sure that you buy a good quality one that comes from a natural food source rather than one that is artificially manufactured. Antioxidant supplements include: zinc, carotenes, copper, selenium, vitamins C and E.

You don’t want to be taken ten different pills a day so try and find a supplement that includes all the above . In addition to saving money on buying individual supplements, some studies have shown a combination supplement is more effective and safer. The range of supplements on offer is vast so take your time selecting the right one that includes all the elements that you need.

The supplement nutrients listed above can also be found in your food. If you want to give yourself an extra boost you could try getting your Vitamin C from oranges or beta carotene from carrots for example.

The sources listed above are just a selection of the food sources and supplements that you could use and you can find many more. If you are unsure you can always get advice from your local health food store who will be able to guide you through the hundreds of supplements available. If you want to increase the intake of antioxidants through food you can go to a intuitionalist who will be able to give you a comprehensive list of foods high in antioxidants.

Whichever method works best for you, as long you find a way to get antioxidants into your diet you will be helping to improve your health.