Top Antioxidant Beverages for Health - Green Tea, Herbal Tea, Apple Cider Vinegar

The Top Antioxidant Beverages for Better Health

Antioxidants are substances that can protect your cells against free radicals. Free radicals are molecules produced when your body breaks down food or by environmental exposures like tobacco smoke or radiation. They can damage important parts of cells such as proteins, lipids and DNA.

This damage is known as oxidative stress and is thought to play a role in aging and diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases.

Fortunately, you can reduce the negative effects of free radicals and oxidative stress by consuming antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. Beverages like tea and coffee are great sources of antioxidants.

Here are the top 8 antioxidant-rich beverages to boost your health.

1. Green Tea

Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. It's loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that provide many health benefits including:

• Improved brain function and lower risk of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease
• Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke and diabetes
• Lower blood pressure
• Helps with weight loss
• May protect against cancer

The antioxidants in green tea are mostly flavonoids, the most abundant of which is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Research indicates that EGCG is the most potent of these antioxidants.

One cup of brewed green tea may provide 100250 mg of antioxidants. Green tea also contains small amounts of minerals like magnesium, potassium, zinc and calcium.

Try to choose a higher quality brand of organic green tea and drink 23 cups per day for maximum benefits.

2. Black Tea

Black tea is another great beverage choice. Although it contains slightly less antioxidants than green tea, it still ranks very high. Several studies show that drinking black tea may lower your risk of heart disease and cancer.

Black tea contains antioxidants including flavonoids, polyphenols and catechins, which help protect cells from oxidative damage. The main antioxidants include thearubigins and theaflavins, which are most abundant in fully fermented black teas.

One cup or 8 oz (240 mL) of brewed black tea provides 50100 mg of antioxidants. The longer the tea steeps, the more antioxidants there are in the final product.

Try to choose organic black tea and drink 23 cups daily for the most antioxidants and health benefits.

3. White Tea

White tea comes from the same plant as green and black tea the Camellia sinensis plant. The main difference is that the tea leaves are harvested just before the buds are fully opened. They're then dried in the sun or lightly steamed.

Compared to other types of tea, white tea is less processed and therefore contains more antioxidants specifically catechins like EGCG. Research shows that the antioxidant activity of white tea extract is up to three times higher than that of green tea extract.

Studies note that the antioxidants in white tea may offer protection against heart disease, cancer, obesity, diabetes and neurological conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Try to drink 12 cups of white tea per day for the most antioxidants and health benefits.

4. Oolong Tea

Oolong tea falls somewhere between green tea and black tea when it comes to antioxidant content and color. This tea is made from leaves of the same plant as green and black tea, but is processed differently.

It's partly fermented, unlike green tea but not completely fermented like black tea. This results in an antioxidant profile and color somewhere in the middle.

Oolong tea contains antioxidants called polyphenols, including EGCG. However, the content can vary significantly depending on how the tea is prepared. Steeping oolong tea for longer can increase antioxidant content.

Try to drink 23 cups of oolong tea per day to obtain its antioxidant benefits.

5. Hibiscus Tea

Hibiscus tea is an herbal tea made from dried parts of the hibiscus plant. It's a very popular beverage worldwide and is loaded with antioxidants and nutrients.

Studies show that hibiscus contains powerful compounds like anthocyanins that may help lower blood pressure, fight cancer cells and prevent oxidative damage.

One study found that hibiscus tea drinkers absorbed nearly twice the amount of antioxidants from their diet, compared to a control group. Another study found that several antioxidant compounds in hibiscus tea were able to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Brew 23 cups of hibiscus tea daily to benefit from its antioxidants and health promoting properties.

6. Matcha Tea

Matcha tea is a variety of powdered green tea produced in Japan. It's made from high quality green tea leaves that are dried,stemmed,veined and ground into a fine powder.

Matcha contains even more antioxidants than regular green tea. Powdered matcha contains up to 137 times more antioxidants mainly catechins like EGCG.

One study found that drinking matcha regularly can increase antioxidants in the blood by up to 137% and raise total antioxidant capacity by up to 15%.

The rich antioxidant content of matcha tea may provide protection against heart disease, cancer, infections, inflammation and type 2 diabetes.

For most antioxidant benefits, try to drink 12 cups of matcha green tea per day.

7. Rooibos Tea

Rooibos tea, also known as red bush tea, is an herbal tea made from the leaves of the rooibos plant. It has gained popularity in recent years and is a good source of antioxidants.

Rooibos contains antioxidants like quercetin and aspalathin, which may help boost heart health, prevent cancer, protect cells from damage and inhibit inflammation.

Aspalathin is a rare antioxidant that's only found in rooibos tea but is thought to have a number of health benefits, such as helping relieve stress, improving glucose metabolism and easing inflammation.

Try to drink 23 cups of rooibos tea per day to take advantage of its antioxidant content.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks

While apple cider vinegar is not technically a drink, it's a great addition to other beverages. Apple cider vinegar contains antioxidants like vitamin C, which may provide impressive health benefits like improved blood sugar control and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.

You can simply add a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water or iced tea. If you want to sweeten it up, try adding a bit of fresh fruit juice.

Try diluting 12 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in water or tea and drink it 12 times per day.

Choose Your Favorite Antioxidant Beverages

Regularly drinking antioxidant-rich beverages is an easy way to boost your antioxidant intake and overall health. Fortunately, delicious options like green tea, herbal teas and apple cider vinegar drinks make it tasty to sip your way to better health.

Try adding a few antioxidant-rich drinks into your routine daily to hydrate your body and protect your cells from oxidative damage.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.