If vegetables aren't your devotion and you're having a hard time getting them into your diet, try popcorn and whole grains . According to a study endorsed by the American Chemical Society (ACS), these two foods provide large amounts of antioxidants .
Specifically, the antioxidants that both products contain are polyphenols , also present in fruits, vegetables, red wine and chocolate. These ingredients are capable of reducing the risk of contracting cardiovascular diseases and cancer.
"Previous analyzes assumed that fiber was the active ingredient responsible for all the benefits of eating whole grain foods, such as reducing the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, " says Joe Vinson, research leader and chemist at the University. of Scranton, in the United States. The new study shows, however, that these products contain per gram an amount of antioxidants similar to those of fruits and vegetables, which explain their health effects.
According to Dr. Vinson, the nutritional value of popcorn could be explained because the antioxidant in corn is protected during the drying process of the seed. And when it is popped to create popcorn, only a small amount of polyphenols is lost.
