Antioxidants act as the body’s major defense against free radicals and oxidative stress. They fight free radicals by supplying them with the electron they lack, and thus neutralize them. The body needs several types of antioxidants in order to function optimally and maintain good health. Adding more disease-fighting antioxidants into your diet will yield positive results. The following 20 foods contain very high antioxidant concentrations:

1. Pomegranates
2. Small red beans (dried)
3. Wild blueberries
4. Red kidney beans
5. Pinto beans
6. Blueberries (cultivated)
7. Cranberries
8. Artichokes (cooked)
9. Blackberries
10. Prunes
11. Raspberries
12. Strawberries
13. Red Delicious apples
14. Granny Smith apples
15. Pecans
16. Sweet cherries
17. Black plums
18. Gala apples
19. Black beans (dried)
20. Plums

Antioxidants occur naturally and are mostly drawn from the food that the body digests. Scientists believe that they can have positive effects on the body, in terms of reducing the risk of cancer, and the effects of ageing. Some antioxidants are more potent than others, but it is important to maintain a balance of the different types, by ensuring a varied diet. The potency of certain antioxidants contained in food can be affected by the method of cooking, as well as the digestion process. For example, the antioxidants in blueberries lose their potency when cooked, while the antioxidants in tomatoes become more potent when cooked.

So, if good health is one of your priorities, be sure to eat these antioxidant rich foods as part of a balanced and varied diet.