World Wide Web | 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.
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Article Source: EzineArticles
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