10 Drinks That Are Antioxidants

Antioxidants are a very important part of a healthy diet. Most researchers believe that antioxidants are what the body needs to combat free radicals, which have been linked to cancer and other serious diseases. Luckily, antioxidants are plentiful and can be found in a variety of sources, including vitamins C and E, flavonoids, and several minerals. Although antioxidants can be consumed through supplements, it is better to obtain them through a normal diet. Luckily, there are many beverages that contain a large dose of antioxidants and can help to keep you healthy if you drink them regularly.

Grape Juice

This is a great alternative for those who don’t drink wine, because they’re packed with the same healthy flavonoids that their alcoholic counterpart contains. Grape juice has plenty of other health benefits, too, including reducing the risk of blood clots and heart disease. One downside is that most grape juice does contain a lot of sugar, but drinking the all-natural stuff in moderation is the key to getting the health benefits without the downsides. When picking a grape juice, always go for the purple-colored juices, and try to avoid anything with added sugars, colors, or flavoring.

Kale Smoothies

A favorite of health food enthusiasts, kale smoothies can be a great way to start your day off with an antioxidant boost. Kale contains both vitamin C and flavonoids, which makes it a great source of antioxidants. When blended together with berries or citrus, it becomes even more beneficial. Kale also is packed with vitamin K and fiber, which means you’ll get additional health benefits from eating it. To keep the kale from being overpowering, mix with blueberries, strawberries, and a bit of pomegranate juice before blending. The combination will leave you both satisfied and full of the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

Coffee

In the fight against free radicals, coffee is one of the biggest defenders. Your morning cup of coffee contains hydroxycinnamic acids, polyphenols, and other important antioxidants that fight against the disease-causing free radical cells. There are plenty of other benefits to drinking coffee, as it has been shown to reduce the risk of heart and liver disease, as well as type 2 diabetes. This is good news for coffee drinkers everywhere because it means you don’t need to give up your caffeine to stay healthy. However, you should try to limit the amount of cream and sugar you use, because there are no health benefits to adding them to your drink.

Coconut Water

Coconut water is on its way to becoming one of the most popular beverages sold in stores. It contains antioxidants that help to combat free radicals, and it’s also an excellent source of several other important nutrients. Just one cup of coconut water a day will provide you with over 15% of your daily recommended intake of magnesium, manganese, and potassium. One downside is that, despite all of the vitamins and minerals, coconut water can be high in sodium, so it is best consumed in moderation. Like all antioxidant drinks, consuming coconut water can lower your risk for cancer and other serious conditions.

Red Wine

Like its non-alcoholic counterpart, red wine is packed with antioxidants. These are similar to the antioxidants in grape juice in that they are flavonoids found in the skins of grapes prior to beverage production. As you may know, drinking a glass of red wine each day has been shown to improve overall health and lower the risk of heart disease. Antioxidants play a big role in why this has been proven true repeatedly since they do most of the work in protecting the body from those free radical cells. The key to reaping the benefits is moderation since regularly consuming more than one glass can be detrimental to your health instead.

Cranberry Juice

Cranberry juice is a popular beverage for home remedies, in part because of its high antioxidant content. Its antioxidants are called anthocyanidins, and they are the part of cranberries that give it its well-known red hue. Of course, not all cranberry juice is created equal. Most juices are sweetened with large amounts of sugar, making them bad for your waistline and your health. Try to fight a light, all-natural version of cranberry juice that doesn’t contain a lot of sweeteners or added flavors. Cranberries have been found to be one of the most antioxidant-rich fruits available, so adding this juice to your diet can be very beneficial.

Green Tea

Another common home remedy is green tea. Just like cranberry juice, this is largely because it is a great source of antioxidants. Green tea contains flavonoids and catechins, two of the most common kinds of antioxidants. These lower your risk of cancer and can help to improve brain health. Try to find an all-natural green tea that doesn’t contain a lot of chemicals or complex ingredients. Avoid adding lots of honey or milk to your beverage. Green tea also provides many other health benefits, including antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It is a great tool to help you manage weight.

Orange Juice

Recently, orange juice was found to have much higher antioxidant levels than previously thought. Orange juice advertisers have seized on this, promoting the immune system-boosting qualities of antioxidant beverages. Even before orange juice was considered a primary source of antioxidants, it was a good source of other nutrients, including potassium and folic acid. Perhaps most well-known is orange juice’s high vitamin C and E content. Of course, buying orange juice that is heavily processed with high sugar content would not be nearly as beneficial. Instead, look for organic or all-natural versions that don’t include artificial flavoring.

Acai Berry Juice

Acai berries are one of the trendiest foods on the market, and acai berry juice is no exception. While the marketing on some acai berry juice goes a bit far, these delicious berries are loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients. Just be careful to read the label thoroughly and avoid adding unnatural ingredients or unnecessary sugars to your diet. These antioxidants help to give acai berries their distinct color. They also boost the immune system and fight against free radicals. Acai berry juice has also been proven to lower the risk of heart disease by reducing blood pressure, thanks to its antioxidants.

White Tea

Although white tea and green tea come from the same plant, they have very distinct tastes. White tea is still full of antioxidants, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease. Unlike green tea, white tea is made from the buds and very young leaves of the plant. It is processed in such a way that more of catechins remain. As with all beverages, be sure to look for an organic version that contains few added ingredients. Do not add large quantities of sweetener to it after it is prepared. Drinking a cup of white tea each day can be extremely beneficial to your health. You should consider adding this beverage to your diet.