A useful way to examine the best sources of antioxidants is to first understand that antioxidants that are found in the body get there in essentially 3 ways.

• They are ingested from the food we eat
  
  
• They arrive via supplements
  
  
• They are created in the body from raw materials found in the body.

With this in mind, it helps to divide antioxidants into 3 categories

• ones that are widely available in the foods we eat
  
  
• ones that are more scarce in food sources and therefore should probably be ingested via supplements
  
  
• ones that are produced only in the body but may need to be supplemented because of our inability to produce them in sufficient quantities due to age or other factors.

Now that we have divided antioxidants into these categories, let's examine the best sources of antioxidants starting first with those that can be found readily in foods then move along to those that are the most scarce and are recommended to be acquired through supplements.

To see a complete listing of the most important antioxidants and a description of each one, click here.

Antioxidant Food Sources

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Coenzyme - Q10
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid
• Glutathione
• Flavonoids
• Carotenoids

Vitamin C - abundant in many foods

Vitamin C Food Sources: Vitamin C is found in many fruits and vegetables, including

• Citrus fruit
• Tomatoes
• Red peppers
• Cabbage
• Potatoes
• Cranberries

Vitamin E - abundant in foods but recommended as a supplement because it is so beneficial

Vitamin E Food Sources:

• Nuts
• Nut butters
• Barley
• Rice bran oil
• Raw vegetable oils
• Green leafy vegetables
• Eggs

Coenzyme Q10 - supplements recommended for people over 40

Coenzyme - Q10 Food Sources:

• Seafood
• Organ meats
• Sesame oil
• Soybean oil
• Spinach
• Broccoli

Alpha-Lipoic Acid - supplements recommended

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Food Sources :

• Liver
• Broccoli
• Spinach
• Yeast

Glutathione - not recommended as a supplement. Best to increase Glutathione levels by supplementing with Alpha-Lipoic Acid.

Glutathione Food Sources:

• Lamb
• Veal
• Avocado
• Parsley
• Asparagus
• Cauliflower
• Broccoli
• Squash
• Beets
• Walnuts
  
  
  

Flavonoids - available in foods

Flavonoid Food Sources:

• Apples
• Blueberries
• Bilberries
• Onions
• Soy products
• Tea
• Oranges
• Citrus fruit
• Red grapes
• Pine bark

Carotenoids - available in foods

Carotenoid Food Sources:

Alpha Carotene:

• Canned pumpkin
• Carrots

Beta Carotene:

• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Apricots
• Spinach
• Collard greens

Cryptoxanthin:

• Papaya
• Oranges
• Tangerines

Lutein and Zeaxanthin:

• Kale
• Collard greens
• Spinach
• Swiss chard
• Mustard greens
• Red pepper
• Okra
• Romaine lettuce

Lycopene:

• Tomato juice
• Watermelon
• Guava
• Pink grapefruit
• Tomatoes