{"id":253065,"date":"2025-07-10T09:01:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-10T09:01:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/253065\/"},"modified":"2025-07-10T09:01:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-10T09:01:10","slug":"5-of-the-best-foods-to-eat-for-antioxidants-according-to-nutritionists","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/253065\/","title":{"rendered":"5 of the Best Foods to Eat for Antioxidants, According to Nutritionists"},"content":{"rendered":"<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_1-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> One of the best ways to enhance the quality of your diet is to eat more <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/best-antioxidant-fruits-11736165\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">antioxidant foods<\/a>. That&#8217;s because antioxidants are beneficial for the body, especially when eaten over time. They work by fighting free radicals, or molecules that damage healthy cells when present in high amounts. This damage can turn into oxidative stress and inflammation, potentially leading to chronic conditions like heart disease and cancer.\n<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_3-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> However, eating a variety of antioxidant-rich foods is believed to help reduce the risk. Furthermore, such foods can benefit other areas of the body, including the skin, eyes, and gut. You won&#8217;t have to search too far; antioxidants are abundantly available in plant foods. This includes fruits, vegetables, <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/best-grains-to-eat-8787968\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">whole grains<\/a>, <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/best-nuts-to-eat-8772028\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">nuts<\/a>, legumes, and seeds. If you&#8217;d like to get this nutritional boost, you need to know which foods contain the most antioxidants. We asked nutrition experts to share their top picks, including delicious ways to eat them at home.\n<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Olivia Mathisen-Holloman,<\/strong> RD, registered dietitian at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, Washington<\/li>\n<li><strong>Matthew J. Landry, <\/strong>PhD, RDN, FAND, FAHA, registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant professor of population health and disease prevention at <a href=\"https:\/\/app.qwoted.com\/companies\/uc-irvine-public-health\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">UC Irvine Joe C. Wen School of Population &amp; Public Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Anna Marie Merz, <\/strong>MS, RD, LD, <a href=\"https:\/\/wexnermedical.osu.edu\/mediaroom\/expertslisting\/anna-maria-merz\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">registered dietitian<\/a> at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>  Berries  <\/p>\n<p> Credit: Marcus Nilsson<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_10-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> Berries\u2014such as strawberries, <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/health-benefits-of-blueberries-8766754\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">blueberries<\/a>, and raspberries\u2014are some of the best foods for antioxidants. They&#8217;re particularly rich in anthocyanins and flavonoids, according to Olivia Mathisen-Holloman, RD, registered dietitian at Kaiser Permanente in Seattle, Washington. Berries also contain other essential nutrients, like immune-boosting <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/best-vitamin-c-fruits-11740451\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">vitamin C<\/a> (another antioxidant) and blood pressure-lowering potassium.\n<\/p>\n<p>  How to Eat  <\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_13-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li>Sprinkle berries on salads, along with nuts and feta cheese, suggests Anna Marie Merz, MS, RD, LD, <a href=\"https:\/\/wexnermedical.osu.edu\/mediaroom\/expertslisting\/anna-maria-merz\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"externalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">registered dietitian<\/a> at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.<\/li>\n<li>Merz recommends adding fresh berries to yogurt, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/how-to-eat-oatmeal-8784317\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">oatmeal<\/a>, or cereal for sweetness.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Blend into a smoothie with Greek <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/benefits-of-yogurt-11752800\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">yogurt<\/a>, your favorite nut butter, and a dash of cinnamon,&#8221; says Merz.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>  Sweet Potatoes  <\/p>\n<p> Credit: Lennart Weibull<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_17-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">Sweet potatoes are high in antioxidants, including beta-carotene, vitamin A, and anthocyanins (in purple varieties), says Matthew J. Landry, PhD, RDN, FAND, FAHA, registered dietitian nutritionist and assistant professor of population health and disease prevention at UC Irvine&#8217;s Joe C. Wen School of Population &amp; Public Health. &#8220;Other noteworthy nutrients include potassium, niacin, manganese, [and] fiber,&#8221; says Merz.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p>  How to Eat  <\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_20-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li>For a punch of antioxidants, incorporate mashed sweet potato into baked goods such as cakes, cookies, and bread, says Merz.<\/li>\n<li>Roast sweet potatoes and top them with tahini and chile crisp, suggests Landry.<\/li>\n<li>Bulk up your next soup, stew, or <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/1530335\/vegan-sweet-potato-chili\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">chili with sweet potatoes<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Complete your entree with a side of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/1124617\/sweet-potato-parmesan-fries\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">sweet potato fries<\/a> or wedges.<\/li>\n<li>Prepare <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/344009\/mashed-sweet-potatoes\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mashed sweet potatoes<\/a> with a touch of cinnamon, says Landry.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>  Dark Chocolate  <\/p>\n<p> Credit: GETTY IMAGES<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_24-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> When made with at least 70 percent cocoa, dark chocolate is considered to be an antioxidant-rich food. It&#8217;s high in flavonols, which help reduce blood pressure, says Mathisen-Holloman. Plus, the sweet treat &#8220;offers anti-inflammatory effects and may improve brain function and mood,&#8221; she adds.\n<\/p>\n<p>  How to Eat  <\/p>\n<p>  Artichokes  <\/p>\n<p> Credit: <\/p>\n<p>Getty \/ Huizeng Hu<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_33-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/benefits-of-artichokes-11693751\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Artichokes<\/a> are one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/high-fiber-foods-11725829\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">best sources of fiber<\/a>, but they&#8217;re also high in antioxidants. According to Mathisen-Holloman, they contain flavonoids (which support heart health) and chlorogenic acid (which benefits liver function). They&#8217;re also rich in vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and potassium, per Mathisen-Holloman.\n<\/p>\n<p>  How to Eat  <\/p>\n<p>  Dark Leafy Greens  <\/p>\n<p> Credit: Bryan Gardner<\/p>\n<p id=\"mntl-sc-block_40-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\"> &#8220;Dark leafy greens, like spinach and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/how-to-eat-kale-8642736\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">kale<\/a>, have lutein, zeaxanthin, and beta-carotene,&#8221; says Landry. These antioxidants are beneficial for both eye health and immune function. Additionally, dark leafy greens contain vitamin K, folate, and iron, according to Landry.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n<p>  How to Eat  <\/p>\n<ul id=\"mntl-sc-block_43-0\" class=\"comp mntl-sc-block mntl-sc-block-html\">\n<li>Merz suggests making <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/8337648\/how-to-make-perfect-scrambled-eggs-the-right-way\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">scrambled eggs<\/a> or an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/1547089\/cheesy-spinach-potato-egg-casserole\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">egg casserole<\/a> with leafy greens.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Try massaging raw kale with olive oil and lemon for salads,&#8221; recommends Landry. Start with our simple <a class=\"recommendation-inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/1551460\/kale-and-apple-salad\" link-destination-recommendation=\"true\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"3\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">kale salad<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>For an easy side dish, saut\u00e9 spinach with garlic, per Landry.<\/li>\n<li>&#8220;Blend into a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.marthastewart.com\/green-smoothie-recipe-11701586\" data-component=\"link\" data-source=\"inlineLink\" data-type=\"internalLink\" data-ordinal=\"4\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">smoothie<\/a> with berries and Greek yogurt,&#8221; says Merz.<br \/>The next time you prepare a soup, chili, or stew, add chopped leafy greens and cook until wilted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"One of the best ways to enhance the quality of your diet is to eat more antioxidant foods.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":253066,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4318],"tags":[105,4434,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-253065","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"tag-health","9":"tag-nutrition","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114828128039331820","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253065","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=253065"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/253065\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/253066"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=253065"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=253065"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=253065"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}