“Oh, cucumbers are sooo good for you, dude, they’re chock-full of antioxidants…” Yeah…but, what are antioxidants? We were left scratching our heads when posed with the question, and we’re sure many of you are in the same spot. So here we are, breaking it down for you.
In short, antioxidants help prevent cell damage. These substances slow and, at times, reverse the effects of oxidation and oxidative stress, the continuation of which can lead to cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and other chronic diseases.
Oxidative stress can be caused by a number of things, such as stress, alcohol, cigarettes, pollution and infections. You may not feel the long-term effects of these things until it’s too late, so it’s important to nip them in the bud, and foods high in antioxidants can help with the healing process. So, yeah. antioxidants are pretty essential. Here are five foods you can add to your diet to help you keep your antioxidants in balance.
Cucumbers
Cucumber water isn’t just for the Instagram aesthetic you see! Add a few slices to your morning cup of water to benefit from everything we mentioned above.
Kale
Even if you don’t live in LA you can still eat kale, we promise. Churn it into a kale smoothie and down it if you’re not too big on the taste, or just add a bit into your daily salad.
Berries
Pretty much any non-poisonous berry. Add on top of your French toast or blend to make a super-fruit smoothie.
Dark Chocolate
Yep. You’re welcome. It’s not just an aphrodisiac – add a little bit to your diet for health benefits.
Beans
Rich in fibre, rich in antioxidants…you should be eating these anyway as they’re super healthy for you, but here’s your reminder to eat them up when having your full English breakfast.