Benefits of Including Antioxidants at Breakfast

Antioxidants have many health benefits that often get overlooked. Those that do understand the importance usually drink a juice or tea throughout the day, but what about breakfast? What are the benefits of adding antioxidants to the most important meal of the day? Let's take a closer look at why antioxidants are an important part of breakfast and a few easy ways to get more antioxidant-rich food into morning meals.

Benefits of Eating Antioxidants at Breakfast

There are a number of benefits to adding antioxidants to your breakfast. While many people understand that antioxidants help keep free radicals under control, they don't understand why this is important. Free radicals can cause a number of degenerative diseases including heart disease, cancer and Alzheimer's. However, there are more benefits than the reduction of free radicals. Antioxidants can also help with weight loss, improve sleep quality, offer relief from allergies, increase energy and much more. It's easy to see why you would want to add foods high in antioxidants to your diet. However, the benefit of increased energy and reduced inflammation can certainly make your upcoming day much easier.

Examples of Foods Packed With Antioxidants and Their Benefits

There are a number of foods that are packed with antioxidants. Best of all, these are foods that come with additional benefits. The following are just a few antioxidant-rich foods you could add to your breakfast.

Berries - Berries are low in calories, and some berries are packed with antioxidants. Blueberries, for example, contain the highest amount of antioxidants found in fresh fruit, but they can also help improve urinary tract health.

Cherries - Cherries are another antioxidant-rich food that also helps reduce arthritis pain and the pain associated with gout.

Walnuts, Almonds, and Pistachios - Many nuts also contain antioxidants. While walnuts are the top nut for antioxidants, almonds and pistachios are also a good source. The great thing about nuts is that they're a good source of healthy fats, can combat against high cholesterol and even work as an anti-inflammatory.

Easy Ways to Add Antioxidants to Your Breakfast

There are a number of easy ways to add antioxidant-rich foods to your breakfast. For example, you might add fresh berries to your pancakes or your might have a serving of cherries with your scrambled eggs. If you want a really easy option, one that can be eaten at the office, try Quaker Real Medleys. This wonderful blend of oatmeal, fruit and nuts is a great source of antioxidants.

Don't let breakfast pass you by without eating a few antioxidant-rich foods. These foods can greatly reduce your chances for heart disease and cancer and can also help you lose weight and even look younger.
Content by Amy Brantley.