We all know that we should be eating lots of antioxidants, but most of us don’t have a firm grasp on what antioxidants are. When we get a better understanding of the importance of antioxidants, it’s a lot easier to get into the habit of consuming them. So before we tell you what foods and supplements can provide high levels of antioxidants, let’s quickly discuss what antioxidants (and their mortal enemy, the “free radical”) are.

Let’s first discuss free radicals. The cells of our body are damaged by many different environmental stresses each day. These include sun damage, temperature, harmful foods in our diet, and the simple realities of age and stress. These stressors damage cells (or atoms or ions), some of which are cut loose into the body. These “free radicals” all have a spare electron looking for a place to come to rest. They can attach themselves to healthy cells in an attempt to stabilize, damaging the cell in the process.

Antioxidants are another kind of free-floating molecule in the body. They are able to connect with free radicals, stabilizing them and taking them out of action before they can damage healthy tissue. Our bodies form antioxidants naturally, but we also get some from our diets. You can think of antioxidants as the therapists of the body, while free radicals are the deranged violent lunatic. If the therapist reaches the lunatic in time, it can prevent violent outcomes (like diabetes and cancer.)

This is a very general overview, but we now understand why antioxidants are important. They’re one of the best ways our bodies prevent us from becoming sick. It’s also clear from this analogy why numbers matter. The more antioxidants we have floating around in our bodies, the better success they’ll have in preventing free radicals from going postal.

Healthy bodies produce many antioxidants of their own, but they also derive natural antioxidants from food sources. These food sources are most often vegetables, but some meats (like seafood and red meat) have certain antioxidants. Here are some of the best places to look for antioxidants for your daily diet.

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin is a natural antioxidant that occurs in numerous places in nature. One of the most interesting examples is found in the shells of lobster. Astaxanthin is bound up in certain cells within the shells, but it is released when the lobster is cooked. Astaxanthin is red, so this is why lobster change color when boiled. You don’t have to harvest astaxanthin from lobster shells, though. It’s available from Nordic Naturals and Pure Encapsulations for affordable prices.

Coffee, Tea, and Cocoa

Most adults love one of more of these foods. Coffee, tea, and cocoa can be prepared in endless ways, and each has its own impact on body and mind. To protect themselves from sun damage, these plants evolved antioxidants. Just as these antioxidants protect plants from radiation, they produce the same effect for humans when consumed. Of the three, coffee has the most antioxidant activity, but any of the above can be beneficial for your health.

Fruits and Berries

Fruits and berries, especially those dark in color, are almost always rich in antioxidants. The dark coloration is a hint. Plants are grown in the sun, which means they have to protect themselves from solar radiation, similar to the way you protect your own skin with sunblock. Eat berries like blackberries for very rich supplies of natural antioxidants.

There are numerous other sources of antioxidants, such as leafy green vegetables and kombucha. Eat a diverse diet of natural foods and supplements when necessary. You’ll enjoy the benefits of plentiful antioxidants for years to come.