Antioxidant rich food has been the subject of many studies, reports and even complete books on nutrition for a number of years. The flavonoid antioxidant has been found to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke; and it's as easy as drinking a cup of tea to enjoy these health benefits.
Just like other antioxidants, flavonoids work by confining free radicals that cause cell damage. In addition, scientists have discovered that some flavonoids have additional benefits, such as antihistamine and antimicrobial characteristics, as well as properties that have a positive impact on both memory and mood.
Scientists and nutritionists agree that taking supplements is not the most effective way to provide the body with flavonoid benefits. Rather, whole fruits, vegetables and herbs such as tea are not only antioxidant rich food choices, but they also offer a number of other health benefits.
Like any other beneficial food ingredient, some foods contain a greater concentration of flavonoid antioxidant than other foods. Some examples include:
- Apples
- Beans
- Blueberries
- Buckwheat
- Chocolate
- Honey
- Onions
- Pomegranates
- Spinach
- Strawberries
- Tea
- Wine
It's refreshing to know that consuming an antioxidant rich food is as easy as drinking a cup of soothing Lipton hot tea; or for that matter, iced tea. Keep in mind, however, that the concentration and type of flavonoid antioxidant present in any of these foods can vary depending upon the growing conditions, how mature the food was when harvested, handling or processing of the food, and the part of the plant being consumed.
Tea is a great example of how the above factors can impact the concentration of flavonoid antioxidant. Green, white and black teas are all antioxidant-rich food sources that are heavy in the flavonols in particular. However, black and oolong tea is produced by allowing the leaves to oxidize, which affects the concentration. Green tea, on the other hand, is produced when a freshly cut leaf is steamed, so oxidation is not significant; and the least processed, white tea, has been found to have the highest concentration. Finally, a fairly recent find is that a mood-enhancing flavonoid can be found in chamomile tea.
The tea touted to have the most health benefits is green tea, which contains a flavonoid antioxidant that fights cancer in a number of ways. Researchers have also found green tea to be a 100-times-more-powerful antioxidant than vitamin C and 25 times more potent than vitamin E.
Tea brands, like Lipton, offer a number of varieties of green, white, black and chamomile teas making them very easy to find at the local grocery store. Honey also contains a noteworthy level of flavonoid antioxidant. So for those who enjoy a natural sweetener like honey in their tea, a single cup can provide an even greater benefit.
