11 Foods With More Antioxidants Than Blueberries

Blueberries are a great source of antioxidants, but they are not the only antioxidant-rich foods worth adding to your plate. Foods like goji berries, dark chocolate, walnuts, and coffee may offer even more antioxidant power than this popular fruit.

1. Dark Chocolate

Cocoa is rich in flavonols, antioxidants that offer many health benefits. Dark chocolate may contain up to 3 times as much cocoa as its milk chocolate counterpart.

Dark chocolate contains other antioxidants, including polyphenols, anthocyanins, and procyanidins. Consuming dark chocolate regularly can help protect against certain chronic diseases and support:

• Brain function
• Gut microbiome (community of microbes inside your digestive tract)
• Heart health
• Mood

2. Apples

Apples also contain flavonoids, polyphenols, and vitamin C. Dried apples offer more antioxidants than the fresh variety.

The high antioxidant content found in apples can help:

• Decrease inflammation
• Improve liver damage
• Lower the risk of heart disease
• Prevent diabetes
• Protect against cell damage

3. Walnuts

Walnuts and other nuts contain antioxidants such as vitamin E, resveratrol, catechins, and ellagitannins. These compounds prevent oxidative stress, combat inflammation, and help lower the risk of chronic diseases.

Specific research on the antioxidants in walnuts suggests that incorporating this nut into your diet may contribute to cancer prevention and improve gut and brain health.

4. Pecans

Pecans contain more flavonoids than other tree nuts, like almonds, cashews, and walnuts. This nut also provides more than double the amount of vitamin E than blueberries.

The antioxidants found in pecans help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in the body that can lead to chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.

5. Goji Berries

Initial research suggests that the antioxidants in goji berries may help support vision and heart health and manage blood sugar levels.

What’s more, the vitamin C content found in goji berries is more than five times higher than the vitamin C in blueberries.

6. Blackberries

Blackberries are dark in color because of the antioxidant anthocyanin, which tops blueberries in many cases.

Researchers are investigating blackberries’ antioxidant properties for the prevention of heart attack and stroke. Along with other antioxidants like flavonoids, polyphenols, and tannins, these compounds may also boost brain health, protect against certain types of cancer, and more.

7. Chia Seeds

Chia seeds are packed with powerful antioxidants, like chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, quercetin, myricetin, and kaempferol. These antioxidants are thought to help protect against free radical damage and support immune, liver, heart, and gut health.

8. Coffee

Coffee beans have higher antioxidant activity than blueberries. Coffee’s antioxidants may:

• Improve brain function
• Protect against free radical damage
• Reduce inflammation
• Support heart health

However, factors such as coffee bean quality, roasting time, and brewing time can affect how much antioxidant support you get. Some studies show that antioxidants are preserved at the highest levels when medium-roast coffee varieties are brewed for about 3 minutes.

9. Cinnamon

The polyphenols and cinnamic acid present in cinnamon offer anti-inflammatory benefits and protection against harmful free radicals. Other nutrients found in cinnamon may improve:

• Blood sugar control
• Diabetes management
• Heart health
• Immune system response

One recent study found that taking cinnamon supplements regularly increases antioxidant levels and lowers inflammation in the bloodstream.

10. Green Tea

Green tea contains richer amounts of polyphenols and catechins than blueberries. These antioxidants offer anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties. Although additional research is needed, the antioxidant compounds in green tea may:

• Improve heart health
• Support digestion
• Reduce skin inflammation
• Support oral health

However, you may want to skip the dairy. Adding milk to green tea may reduce its antioxidant benefits.

11. Pomegranates

Compounds in pomegranates, such as polyphenols, anthocyanins, punicalagins, and ellagitannins, serve as powerful antioxidants that can help prevent cellular damage and promote a variety of other health benefits.

Pomegranates and pomegranate juice may improve brain function, protect against certain chronic conditions, and support skin and digestive health. Studies show that pomegranates offer a more potent antioxidant impact than blueberries.