Antioxidants

Rutin is a natural compound found in various fruits, vegetables, and grains that offers an impressive range of health benefits — from improving vascular health to reducing inflammation to managing type 2 diabetes to fighting cancer to supporting heart and brain health. But where can you find rutin in your diet? And given how beneficial it is, should you consider supplementation?

We’ve known about the vitamin antioxidants for a long time: vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene leap to mind. Recently, other phytonutrients such as lycopene and resveratrol have been having their day in the sun. But there’s one antioxidant that may be the most important of all, and it hasn’t really received the amount of attention justified by its impressive benefits. In this article, let’s get to know the dietary antioxidant glutathione.

Many of the phytochemicals that give whole, plant-based foods their natural pigment offer heart-healthy antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that foster good health and boundless vitality. Red foods, in particular, have been found to support heart health. In this article, we share seven of the heart-healthiest red foods to include in your diet, along with a variety of recipes to ensure you get plenty of this passionate color that will leave you feeling radiant from the inside out!

When you’re hungry and want something yummy to eat, bitter foods probably don’t spring to mind. With so many sweet, salty, and savory foods to enjoy, why would you opt for bitter? We’re about to share some reasons bitter may be better (and how you’re most likely already consuming some delicious and healthy bitter food and beverages!). With the plethora of nutritious fruits, veggies, and other plants that can be categorized as bitter, you’re sure to find at least a few you enjoy. And, if the thought of bitterness makes you cringe, we have a few suggestions for you! We’ll share helpful tips on balancing bitter flavors and share seven bitter foods recipes to win over even the pickiest eaters!

If a food or beverage makes your tongue feel like all the moisture has been sucked out of it, it could be because it’s rich in tannins. These compounds, produced by plants to protect themselves, may also protect us from inflammation, microbes, and free radical damage. But some people see tannins as antinutrients, compromising our ability to absorb minerals and protein. So what’s the truth about these common and strong-tasting phytochemicals?

Bitterness is the bane of any child (or adult!) told to eat their veggies. And many bitter plants are also poisonous. But it turns out that some bitter foods have a lot going for them — including major health benefits like improved digestion and lower rates of chronic illness. So what is it that makes these foods so special — and how can you learn to love them?

Lycopene is a nutrient that has only recently received the attention it deserves. One of the most potent anti-inflammatory antioxidants, lycopene appears to protect against a staggering array of chronic conditions, including cancer, heart disease, male infertility, and cognitive decline. But there are precious few dietary sources of this wonderful nutrient, and there are questions about its bioavailability. How much lycopene do you need, and what are the best sources?

If you believe the hype, CoQ10 is a wonder supplement that can do everything from helping athletes recover faster to giving tired people more energy to slowing down the aging process. But how much science is there to back up these claims? What does CoQ10 do in the body, and what happens when it’s in short supply? And can we get it from food, or is supplementation the way to go?

If you’re a plant, you need phosphorus to grow healthy seeds, flowers, and roots. And you store that phosphorus in a compound known as phytate. If you’re a human being, you’ve probably heard that phytates are bad for you since they block the absorption of essential nutrients. But is that true? Should you avoid phytates? Do they have redeeming qualities? Here’s what you need to know about this often misunderstood compound.

You’ve probably heard that broccoli is good for you. But do you know what’s even better for you? Broccoli sprouts, which are baby broccoli plants less than a week old. If any veggie can claim the title “superfood,” broccoli sprouts are it. And the magic ingredient that gives them their greatest superpowers is an antioxidant called sulforaphane.

Vitamin C may be most commonly associated with oranges, but there is much more to the vitamin C story. Here’s what you need to know about vitamin C and what it does for your immune system.

Can what you eat affect your sexual performance? Dr. Joel Kahn discusses the connection between heart disease and erectile dysfunction. And how to get adequate nitric oxide to your arteries without medication.