Antioxidants in foods.

Q. What do antioxidants do and where can I get them?

A. Antioxidants come from the foods we eat, mainly from fruits, vegetables, and other plant-sourced foods. They prevent oxidation by free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage healthy cells by changing their chemical structure. Antioxidants stop free radicals before they can do any damage.

Antioxidants have been linked to helping our bodies fight everything from cancer to macular degeneration to Alzheimer's and arthritis.

Common antioxidants include Vitamins A, C, and E, and members of the carotenoids family, including betacarotene, lycopene, and lutein. The best way to get antioxidants is from your diet. Foods with the highest antioxidant content include berries, artichokes, pecans, kidney beans, dark chocolate, and cilantro. Foods high in carotenoids include carrots, leafy greens, sweet potatoes, broccoli, and tomatoes.

Most raw fruits are rich in antioxidants. Frozen vegetables also have a high antioxidant level. To get the most antioxidants from the foods you eat, include a variety of plant-based foods in your diet.