When it comes to feeling your best every day, antioxidants are the unsung heroes - working quietly behind the scenes to protect, nourish, and energise your body from the inside out.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are your body’s natural defenders, working around the clock to protect your cells from damage at a cellular level. This damage is caused by free radicals which are harmful molecules that can build up in the body.
No matter how much we try to follow a healthy lifestyle, we are all subject to some unavoidable triggers of free radicals. This includes stress, pollution and getting too much sun. Even our body's own natural metabolic processes can create free radicals, such as when cells use oxygen to make energy.
Left unchecked, free radicals can lead to oxidative stress - a harmful imbalance in the body which drives premature aging and chronic inflammation. This damage can in turn contribute to diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes.
That’s where antioxidants come in, working actively at a cellular level to help neutralise free radicals and restore balance before they can build up and cause damage.
5 Benefits of an Antioxidant-Rich Diet
Antioxidants act as a first line of defence against free radicals, preventing them from building up before they can create oxidative stress. This means that getting enough antioxidants can have a number of health benefits:
-
Protecting your cells – Neutralising free radicals prevents cellular damage, the root cause of many health conditions
-
Slowing down aging – By reducing cell damage, antioxidants help keep your skin, hair, and body looking and feeling younger
-
Supporting your immune system – Nutrients like vitamin C and selenium help your body to fight off illness and inflammation
-
Reducing inflammation – Chronic inflammation is linked to many health issues, antioxidants help to lower inflammation and calm this process
-
Boosting overall wellness – Antioxidants help to support heart, brain and skin health - as well as helping us to feel more energised and resilient
How can I get more antioxidants in my diet?
The good news is that there are many different nutrients which act as antioxidants, and they can be found abundantly in some of your favourite healthy foods. Here are just a handful of nutrients which have powerful antioxidant activity.
-
Vitamin C – Found in citrus fruits (like oranges and lemons), strawberries, kiwi, peppers and broccoli. Vitamin C helps to protect cells and supports your immune system.
-
Vitamin E – Found in nuts, seeds, spinach and avocado. It helps to protect cell membranes from damage.
-
Beta-carotene (a form of Vitamin A) – Found in carrots, sweet potatoes and leafy greens. It helps to support skin, eyes, and immune health.
-
Selenium – A mineral found in Brazil nuts, sunflower seeds and brown rice. It helps your body to make antioxidant enzymes.
-
Zinc – Found in pumpkin seeds, legumes and whole grains. It supports your immune system and helps to lower inflammation.
- Polyphenols – Found in foods like green tea, berries, dark chocolate and red grapes. These plant compounds act as powerful antioxidants.
15 Foods Naturally High in Antioxidants
Some of the most antioxidant-rich foods are colourful fruits, vegetables, nuts and even a bit of dark chocolate. Here are some top sources:
Fruits
Blueberries – One of the highest in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins
Strawberries – Rich in Vitamin C and other polyphenols
Pomegranates – Packed with Vitamin C and punicalagins - potent antioxidants
Goji berries – A superfood known for its high antioxidant levels
Acai berries – Extremely rich in anthocyanins
Vegetables
Kale – Full of Vitamin C, beta-carotene and flavonoids
Spinach – High in lutein and zeaxanthin, great for eye health
Red cabbage – Contains anthocyanins and Vitamin C
Nuts & Seeds
Pecans – Nuts with one of the highest antioxidant activity
Walnuts – Rich in polyphenols and omega-3s
Chia seeds – Contain antioxidants and healthy fats
Other Foods
Dark chocolate (70%+ cacao) – Rich in flavonoids and essential minerals
Green tea – Contains catechins, especially EGCG, a powerful antioxidant
Coffee – Surprisingly high in antioxidants like chlorogenic acid
Turmeric – Contains curcumin, a potent antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties
Eating a variety of these foods daily can help your body fight oxidative stress and support long-term health.
Boost your Antioxidants Daily with Superfoods
Rheal blends are naturally rich in healthful antioxidants, from nutritious superfoods that also provide their own unique health benefits. Whether you struggle to eat a rainbow of fruit & veg each day, or just want an added boost, they're a great way to make sure you're getting the benefits of antioxidants everyday.
Here are some of our top picks to get the Rheal benefits of antioxidants, daily.
Clean Greens
Clean Greens is a blend of 7 Organic superfoods including Baobab, Barley Grass, Chlorella, Moringa, Pineapple, Wheatgrass and Spirulina. Baobab, in particular, is known for its high Vitamin C content and antioxidant properties.
With your daily super greens, Clean Greens also supports immunity, energy and digestion, and 94% of customers feel the benefits after 3 months.
Berry Beauty
Berry Beauty combines 8 Organic superfoods including Chia Seeds, Acai Berry, Acerola, Blueberry, Cranberry, Strawberry and Maca Root. The berries in this blend are especially rich in anthocyanins, powerful antioxidants that help protect against free radicals.
Acerola cherry also provides 100% of your daily Vitamin C intake in every serving of Berry Beauty, supporting glowing skin and natural collagen production too.
Feel Good Bundle
For a comprehensive antioxidant boost, the Feel Good Bundle combines both Clean Greens and Berry Beauty. This pairing offers a daily dose of 14 Organic superfoods, the perfect combo to support daily wellness with super greens and glowing antioxidants.
Balance Tonic is your daily elixir to support optimal female health with nutritious superfoods & adaptogens. Each serving contains 5 Organic superfoods including Hibiscus, Blueberry, Baobab, Maca Root and 500mg KSM-66® Ashwagandha.
Hibiscus is packed with powerful antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give it that beautiful deep red color and help to reduce inflammation and protect your cells from damage. Baobab, often called a superfruit, is loaded with Vitamin C and polyphenols, both of which are strong antioxidants that support your immune system and help fight free radicals.
Blueberry Beets Wellness Shots
Blueberry Beets is a daily wellness shot with Beetroot, Blueberries and Guarana - for a caffeine kick equal to one espresso.
Blueberries and beetroot are powerhouse foods packed with antioxidants that help protect your body from damage. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, the compounds that give them their deep blue color and provide strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Beetroot contains betalains - potent antioxidants known to support liver health and reduce oxidative stress. Together, these vibrant superfoods make a delicious and nutritious way to boost your body’s defense against free radicals and promote overall wellness.
Incorporating these products into your daily routine can help to combat oxidative stress, support your immune system, and promote healthy skin, hair, and nails.
Enjoy our superfood blends alongside foods naturally high in antioxidants, we love adding both to a shake or smoothie - and boost your antioxidants on-the-go with an energising wellness shot.
References:
-
Sharifi-Rad, M., Quispe, C., Durazzo, A., et al. (2022). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
-
Tajik, N., et al. (2022). Antioxidant-Rich Functional Foods and Exercise: Unlocking Metabolic Health Through Nrf2 and Related Pathways. Nutrients, 14(11), 2299. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14112299pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
-
Calina, D., et al. (2020). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 9(10), 1051. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox9101051
-
Painuli, S., et al. (2022). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
-
Konovalov, D. A., et al. (2022). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014
-
Hossain, M. A., et al. (2021). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014
-
Sharifi-Rad, M., et al. (2021). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
-
Varela, C. L., et al. (2022). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014
-
Benzie, I. F. F., & Choi, S. W. (2014). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014
- Butnariu, M., et al. (2022). Natural antioxidants from some fruits, seeds, foods, natural products, and associated health benefits: An update. Antioxidants, 11(5), 1014. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox11051014
