Thought to be effective in the prevention of and fight against various diseases like heart disease and cancer, antioxidants can pack powerful nutrition.   Antioxidants work by preventing or eliminating oxidation in foods and are evaluated according to their ORAC value which ranks food based on the activity of their antioxidants.   The higher the ORAC value, the more antioxidants the food contains.

1. Red Wine

A nice full-bodied red wine is a delicious and antioxidant rich indulgence.   Red wine, like other antioxidant rich foods, is rich in polyphenols.   Reservatrol is the primary antioxidant found in red wine.   Studies conducted in animals indicate that reservetrol may be linked to a reduction in obesity, heart disease and even cancer.   Multiple clinical studies have indicated a positive, beneficial effect of red wine consumption on cardiovascular health and metabolic syndrome.   A nice cabernet sauvignon has an ORAC value of 5,034.

2. Chocolate Mint Mousse

Cocoa is packed with antioxidants which account for its strong flavor.   Indeed, 100 grams of cocoa packs an ORAC value of 80,933 while mint’s ORAC value hovers around 14,000 depending on variety.   Combining the two, you have a delicious, luscious antioxidant rich desert (try my Chocolate Mint Mousse recipe).

3. Frozen Cherries

One of my favorite indulgences is frozen sweet cherries, slightly thawed.   Sweet and mildly tart, frozen cherries are a fantastic treat.   Simply stem the cherries, freeze them on a baking sheet and place the frozen cherries into a plastic bag or other container for storage.   Super portable, they’re easy to pack for a hike or picnic.   When slightly thawed, frozen cherries resemble little spoonfuls of cherry sorbet on the tongue.   The ORAC value of sweet cherries is 3,365.

Check out more antioxidant-rich indulgences from these bloggers:

• Thai Rooibos Iced Tea from Nourishing Gourmet
• Heirloom Tomato & Basil Sauce from Edible Aria
• Honey-roasted Figs with Vanilla Ice Cream at Cheeselsave

4. Rooibos

Caffeine doesn’t agree with me, but I’m a tea lover at heart so imagine my quandary.   Fortunately, I’ve developed a love of rooibos or red tea.   Rooibos (pronounced ROY-bos) originates from southern Africa where it’s been traditionally used as an herbal tisane.     Rooibos is rich in multiple antioxidants including polyphenols and flavonoids, but aspalathin and nothofagin are, perhaps, its most notable antioxidants.   Rooibos has an ORAC value of approximately 656.

5. Blueberry Clafoutis

Another of my favorite antioxidant-rich indulgences is blueberry clafoutis (see the blueberry clafoutis recipe).   Slightly sweet and brimming with blueberries, blueberry clafoutis is perfect served for brunch though we often serve it for breakfast as well.   The primary components of blueberry clafoutis include blueberries and eggs both of which contain antioxidants.   Indeed, blueberries pack an ORAC value of 6,552 and are rich in anthocyanin and reservatrol.   Pasture-fed eggs (don’t know what pasture-fed means? check out the Real Food Glossary) are rich in the antioxidant beta carotene which give the eggs their lovely bright orange yolks.

6. Honey & Blackberry Ice Cream

Another of my favorite antioxidant-rich indulgences is honey and blackberry ice cream.   Prepared with fresh raw cream, raw milk (check out these reasons to drink raw milk), honey and fresh blackberries, this ice cream is truly raw and thus retains a fresh flavor as well as many natural vitamins and other nourishing components like beta carotene and pre-formed vitamin A as well as polyphenols and flavonoids.   Blackberries boast an ORAC value of 5,437.   Check out the recipe for blackberry and honey ice cream.