What Vegetables & Fruits Are Rich In Antioxidants?

In addition to providing your body with many essential nutrients, fruits and vegetables are foods rich in antioxidants, which help combat the damaging effects of free radicals. Well-known nutrients in food that act as antioxidants include vitamins A, C and E, selenium, beta-carotene, lutein and lycopene. As part of an overall healthy diet, eating foods rich in antioxidants may lower the risk of developing diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease and macular degeneration.

Berries

Berries offer many essential nutrients and are rich in antioxidants. According to MayoClinic.org, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries are top sources of antioxidants. In the January 2010 issue of "Nutrition Journal," University of Oslo researcher Monica Carlsen and colleagues found other antioxidant-rich berries include crowberries, black currants, bilberries, goji berries and sea buckthorn.

Cherries

Cherries are rich in anthocyanins, antioxidants which act as an anti-inflammatory. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, because of the cherry's antioxidant content, eating cherries may lower the uric acid levels in joints which helps prevent gout. Bing cherries may help reduce levels of inflammation caused by arthritis and reduce the risk of developing heart disease and certain cancers. Cherries are also a rich source of vitamin C.

Sweet Potatoes

Rich in antioxidants, sweet potatoes contain more than double the amount of beta-carotene than other fruits and vegetables. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin E, providing 100 percent of the Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamin E. Sweet potatoes are also an excellent source of vitamin C and are a rich source of the phytonutrients chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid and quercetin. These phytonutrients reduce inflammation, boost immunity and lower LDL cholesterol.

Broccoli

Broccoli is a rich source of antioxidants and, like other cruciferous vegetables, contains phytonutrients that not only help the body detoxify or cleanse harmful substances out of its system, but also play a role in lowering the risk of developing heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers. Broccoli is also an excellent source of vitamins A and C.

Spinach

Dark-green leafy vegetables like spinach are rich in antioxidants. Spinach is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, beta-carotene and lutein. The antioxidants found in spinach offer protection against macular degeneration, heart disease and certain forms of cancer.