Fruits are sweet, refreshing and loaded with antioxidants. Plus, since they’re portable and can be eaten with minimal preparation, they make a perfect snack. This article will highlight five of the best fruit sources of antioxidants.
Apples
Apples are crunchy, juicy and come in a variety of different flavors. A medium apple contains 95 calories and high levels of the antioxidants flavonols and vitamin C along with plenty of fiber.
In addition to being an impressive source of antioxidants, apples also have the following health benefits:
- Detoxifying your body
- Enhancing your brain function
- Regulating your blood glucose levels
- Strengthening your heart
- Supporting healthy digestion
Cherries
Cherries have a unique taste that is sweet but tangy and contain just 87 calories per cup. They’re an excellent source of the antioxidants manganese and vitamin C. In addition to this, cherries contain large amounts of fiber and potassium.
When it comes to health, cherries do a lot more than fight free radicals. Some of the other main ways they enhance your health include:
- Enhancing your sleep quality
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Promoting healthy weight loss
- Reducing inflammation in your body
- Relaxing your muscles
Dates
Dates contain 66 calories each and have a sweet, syrupy flavor. They’re rich in the antioxidants anthocyanins, carotenoids, copper, manganese and phenolic compounds. They also contain lots of B vitamins, fiber, magnesium and potassium.
Protecting against oxidative damage is just one of the many positive aspects of dates. These tasty fruits also boost your body by:
- Enhancing your energy levels
- Preventing anemia
- Protecting against allergies
- Strengthening your bones and teeth
- Strengthening your nervous system
Plums
Plums are sweet, juicy and refreshing and pack just 30 calories each. When it comes to their antioxidant content, they contain high levels of phenolic compounds, vitamin A and vitamin C. Plus, they’re loaded with fiber, potassium and vitamin K.
In terms of health benefits, plums have lots to offer. As well as providing you with antioxidant protection, they also:
- Enhance your brain function
- Lower your blood pressure
- Regulate your blood glucose levels
- Strengthen your eyes
- Support healthy digestion
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are a unique tasting fruit and plenty of fun to eat. A single pomegranate contains 234 calories along with high levels of the antioxidants copper, manganese, vitamin C and vitamin E. In addition to this, pomegranates are a fantastic source of fiber, phosphorus, potassium, vitamin K and multiple B vitamins.
There are lots of reasons to love pomegranates. Not only do they provide your body with a healthy dose of antioxidants but they also boost your health by:
- Lowering your blood pressure
- Protecting against depression
- Strengthening your bones and teeth
- Strengthening your heart
- Reducing blood levels of LDL cholesterol (a type of cholesterol that restricts the flow of blood in the arteries and is often referred to as ‘bad cholesterol’)
Summary
If you’re trying to increase your antioxidant intake, all five of these fruits are great choices. So make sure you’re eating at least one serving per day to boost your immune system, protect against chronic disease and much more.