Antioxidants Benefits & Antioxidant-Rich Foods

What Is an Antioxidant?

Antioxidants--defined as “a substance that inhibits oxidation, especially one used to counteract the deterioration of stored food products.”--are believed to delay cell damage. Antioxidants are found naturally in an abundance of fruits, vegetables, and nuts; are added to processed food;, and can be taken as a supplement. An antioxidant-rich diet from real foods combines the vitamins and minerals of organic ingredients to help provide your body protection against harmful diseases.

Benefits of Antioxidants

Antioxidants may protect your cells from potentially damaging agents, like free radicals, that can contribute to things like heart disease or cancer. Free radicals are ions or molecules that have an unpaired electron-- making them unstable. According to this study, “free radical reactions are expected to produce progressive adverse changes...throughout the body”.

While antioxidants alone will not cure or prevent cancers, the benefits of an antioxidant-rich diet are providing your body with tools to fight and protect against the harmful effects of free radicals.

Why Choose Real Food

When utilizing naturally occurring antioxidants, you are also taking advantage of vitamins and minerals of organic foods to give your body the best fighting chance. There are supplements and additives in processed foods that increase antioxidant levels in your diet--but like always, we believe that real food is the best fuel source and the best food for energy.

According to the Harvard School of Public Health, “it’s true that the package of antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and other substances found naturally in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps prevent a variety of chronic diseases, it is unlikely that high doses of antioxidant supplements can accomplish the same feat.”

So, double- or triple-up on the benefits of real food with these antioxidant-rich foods found in Kate’s Real Food organic energy bars:

1. Honey

   Every product is sweetened with organic honey. Not only do you get antioxidants to support a healthy immune system, but you also get a great taste without any artificial flavors.

1. Fruits

   For sweet flavor, chewy texture, and a great source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals-- fruits like dried apricots and raisins provide the perfect addition to each bar.

1. Nuts & Seeds

   Protein isn’t the only benefit of our creamy nut butters and variety of seeds. Peanuts, almonds, and sunflower seeds are great sources of antioxidants.

At Kate’s Real Food, we take pride in providing USDA-certified energy bars and bites to fuel your body with vitamins, minerals, and all the benefits of antioxidants. Balance out your diet with the real food it needs. Browse our nutrition blog to learn more and shop all of our organic food bars!