The Best Antioxidant Foods - Herbs
and Spices
Herbs and many spices
are some of the best antioxidant foods there are. Their concentrations can be
much richer than is common in fresh fruit and vegetables. They also contain a
variety of different antioxidants, making their potential to cure more powerful.
Antioxidants are
essential nutrients that are found in all fresh produce, or plant food. Some
are manufactured by your body. All are essential in keeping your body clean of
the toxins that are the result of living.
Just as breathing rids
your body of the spent parts of air, so antioxidants are instrumental in
ridding your body of the spent waste of living. Without a plentiful supply of
them in your diet, you become toxic. This not only leads to health problems, it
is also instrumental in weight gain, weight that becomes impossible to shift
until you get rid of the toxins.
A diet high in
antioxidants slows down the aging process. Health problems considered
inevitable in aging, don't appear. Your skin looks more youthful. You remain
active, energetic and supple far longer.
Each antioxidant has
its own role to play, but they all work best when in harmony. This means their
best source is real food, which contain all the vital components to search out
and eliminate the toxins.
Each different plant
has their own speciality of antioxidant combination, as well as concentration.
This means a variety of food is going to be more healthy for you.
Some of the best
antioxidant foods, with the highest concentrations are to be found in herbs and
spices. Along with the increase in flavouring your dishes, these versatile
plants offer you superior healing benefits.
For example, oregano
has 42 times more antioxidants than do apples. Its levels are 12 times higher
than in oranges and four times higher than in blueberries. Oregano is also rich
in vitamins, minerals, fibre and omega 3 fatty acid.
Cilantro (coriander)
and parsley are richly aromatic herbs that contain a wealth of antioxidants,
vitamins, minerals and omega 3 fatty acid.
Other common herbs
include basil, dill, rosemary, fennel, marjoram, thyme, sage, lemon balm,
tarragon, chives, the list is endless.
Herbs are mostly
small, succulent plants that originate from the temperate regions of the world.
For optimal health benefits it is best to grow your own or buy certified organic.
The agricultural chemicals found in commercially grown herbs will limit the
benefit of consuming them.
They are at their best
flavour, with the highest concentrations of nutrients, when picked young and
used just after picking. Experiment with various additions, in varying amounts,
to suit your palate. If you are unused to the flavour of herbs, start with
small amounts.
Spices have their own
health promoting specialities, as well as their unique flavour.
For example, one
tablespoonful of ground cinnamon has the same antioxidant levels as has one
cupful of fresh pomegranate juice. This is more than the same amount of red
wine, green tea, blueberries or asparagus, all known for their high levels.
Cinnamon's other
healing properties include cleansing the blood, unloading the liver, supporting
a healthy immune system and more.
Ginger is a strong
aromatic spice which supports a healthy immune system. As with all healthy
food, it will prevent a variety of disease and ensure you remain healthy and
energetic. A piece of fresh ginger in a daily, freshly squeezed fruit and/or
vegetable juice can support your body's ability to remain free of colds and flu
during the winter months.
Spices come from the
bark of trees, roots, stems, leaves, buds, fruit or seeds of plants mostly from
tropical regions. Common spices include pepper, allspice, cloves, nutmeg, mace,
saffron, turmeric, cumin and others.
Most spices are only
available in a ground and dried form and most are commercially grown with
agricultural chemicals. Both the growing with chemicals and the processing can
make the spice detrimental to your health,. Try to grow your own if you can, or
buy certified organic. If these options are not available, then aim to buy the
whole spice and grind it up yourself.
Growing and using the
plants that provide the best antioxidant food increases your culinary
experience as well as improving your health.
For more information
of healthy tips, which support weight loss, click on the link below.
