Green Tea and Berries - The Best Source of Antioxidants

When starting on an antioxidant rich diet it is important to get started with the very best possible options for food choice. Luckily the two best sources of antioxidants are both easy to find as well as simple to incorporate into your diet on a regular basis. By increasing the number and amount of foods that are rich in antioxidants to your diet you can help your body in eliminating free radicals that will, over time, cause signs of aging as well as health problems.

Eat Your Berries

We all know how delicious fresh berries are, well now we also know how good they are for you. Fresh or frozen berries of any kind including farm and wild blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and kiwi fruit are all terrific sources of antioxidants as well as vitamins and fiber. Researchers and medical experts now recommend adding a variety of berries to your diet to help fight off the effects of the free radicals. The nutrients in the berries actually promote the production of antioxidants in the body and the elimination of the damaging free radicals.

Just eating berries however will not do the trick. Our human bodies do not absorb everything that we eat, and not all the antioxidants in berries are in a readily accessible form. It is therefore very important to eat a variety of types of fruits and vegetables that are high in antioxidants to be sure your body is able to use and absorb what you are eating. In addition eating healthy also helps your body maintain its overall nutritional level, which in turn helps with body functions.

Drink Your Tea

Drinking green tea, either hot or cold, is a great way to add antioxidants to the body. Green tea has long been used in Asia as a healthy beverage and now it is also common in western countries. Drinking green tea has no health concerns, however it does contain caffeine and may cause sleep problems for those that are sensitive to caffeine. As with any other add or change to the diet, be sure to slowly start introducing green tea to your daily routine and don't forget to keep drinking water and fruit juices as well. If you don't like green tea, you can also substitute black tea, although it is not as high in antioxidants.

Generally the best advice to increase the levels of antioxidants in your body through your diet is to add some fresh berries, start drinking a cup or two of green tea everyday, and eat a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants. Don't forget to also eat complex carbohydrates like brown rice, rye, and whole wheat breads and pastas, plus add lean proteins for an overall balanced diet. Adding antioxidants is really just one part of a balanced lifestyle but will soon lead to an increase in energy, a more youthful skin and a general increase in your health levels.