31 Eggs In Exciting Holes. 27 Healthy Ingredient Swaps. 7 Fruits and Vegetables that Reverse the Signs of Aging | Shine Food. Photo: Thinkstock By Nicole Frehsée The human diet contains thousands of antioxidants--nutrients that may help do everything from preventing wrinkles to killing off cancerous cells. But while many foods from chocolate to popcorn promise these health benefits, your best bet for a long, vibrant future begins with produce. RELATED: 12 Ways to Improve Your Family's Health Tomatoes Lycopene, an antioxidant that can combat free radicals (molecules or ions that can damage healthy cells and suppress your immune system), gets the credit for tomatoes' ability to help protect against some cancers, including lung cancer.
If possible, opt for Classica tomatoes--in a study of 13 tomato varieties, Classicas ranked highest in lycopene. Kale This popular leafy green is a major source of vitamin K (one cup cooked contains almost 12 times your recommended daily value), which may help ward off heart disease and osteoporosis. Basil One of the herb's medicinal properties comes from the antioxidant eugenol. Five Ingredients or Less: Hummus and Grilled-Zucchini Pizzas | Shine Food. View All Photos < 100 Cheap and Easy Recipes. 6 Ways to Transform Canned Vegetables | Shine Food. 10 Unexpected Ways to Use Ground Beef | Photo Gallery.