Superfoods are talked about everywhere: at the health food store, on social media, maybe even on the packaging of your favorite juices and supplements. 

Superfoods are typically described as foods that are packed with nutrients, thus making them super healthy and a vital part of a well-balanced diet. Superfoods often naturally contain higher amounts of antioxidant nutrients and plant-based compounds like polyphenols, which are important in defending against free radicals.

Sounds like something you want in your day, right? Let’s explore the world of superfoods and antioxidants, and how they work in the body. 

What are superfoods? 

Superfoods are considered “super” because they are nutrient dense, and rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, as well as protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

Common superfoods: 

• Dark green leafy vegetables like kale and spinach are high in nutrients like calcium, iron, fiber, and antioxidants like vitamins E, C, and beta-carotene. 
• Berries are high in antioxidant vitamin C and fiber, with blueberries being among the most nutrient-rich berries. 
• Nuts and seeds like almonds, chia seeds, and pistachios are rich in protein, fiber, and healthy fats. 
• Avocados are a rich source of fiber and healthy fats.
• Legumes (beans, soy, lentils, peas) contain protein, fiber, and B-vitamins.
• Eggs deliver important nutrients like B-vitamins, choline, iron, vitamin A, and protein. 

What are antioxidants? 

Antioxidants are essential nutrients commonly found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and other plant-based foods, including many superfoods. Some of the most notable antioxidant nutrients that can be found in these superfoods are vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a red-orange pigment that is a natural compound found in plant-based foods, giving them their color (think carrots!) that gets converted into vitamin A in the body. Many superfoods also contain polyphenols, a variety of compounds naturally found in plant foods like berries and other fruits and veggies. Polyphenols have natural antioxidant activity. 

Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals to protect the body from oxidative damage and provide other benefits that support general health. For example, vitamin C is known to support immune health, and vitamin E helps support heart muscle cells. 

How do antioxidants work in the body? 

Antioxidants stabilize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are unstable and highly reactive molecules that form naturally in the body as byproducts of processes like metabolism and exposure to environmental factors like pollution, UV rays, and smoking.

Free radicals are unstable because they possess an unpaired electron, driving them to react with other molecules in the body to become stable. This reaction can lead to cellular, protein, and DNA damage, a process known as oxidative stress. 

Antioxidants combat free radicals by neutralizing them through electron donation, stabilizing the free radicals. This action provides a defense system for the body, protecting against oxidative damage and promoting overall health. 

New Nature’s Way Superfoods Antioxidants‡ formula in select Alive!® Multivitamins 

Some of Nature’s Way Alive! Multivitamins are now formulated with a Superfood Antioxidant‡ powder blend so you can get the essential nutrients you need for your wellness along with Superfood Antioxidants‡. This unique powder blend provides ‡10 mg polyphenols (plant antioxidant compounds) per serving from pomegranate extract, spinach, blueberry, carrot, and apple extract.

The Alive! Multivitamins that are now formulated with Superfood Antioxidants‡ include:

• Alive! Women’s 50+ Gummy Multivitamin
• Alive! Men’s 50+ Complete Multivitamin
• Alive! Women's 50+ Complete Multivitamin
• Alive! Women’s Complete Multivitamin
• Alive! Men’s Complete Multivitamin
• Alive! Men’s Gummy Multivitamin

‡10 mg polyphenols per serving