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According to the Cambridge International Dictionary of Idioms, there are over 7,000 idioms, and you may be surprised to find out that many are derived from real life experiences. Take for instance the idiom, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”

As it turns out, apples (with peel) are among the foods that are high in antioxidants - those substances that help prevent disease. When people eat foods high in antioxidants they are more likely to stay healthy.

But if you’re hoping to prevent disease by taking antioxidant supplements, you might want to think again. A study published in the February 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association examined 68 randomized trials with 232,6060 participants. Data suggest that beta carotene, vitamin A, and vitamin E may actually increase mortality, while the potential roles of selenium and vitamin C require further study. So it appears that there is no safe substitute for eating foods that are rich in antioxidants.

Just how do antioxidants work?

They are thought to neutralize free radicals - toxic by-products of natural cell metabolism. Free radicals also enter the body through exposure to cigarette smoke, sunlight, and pesticides. Free radicals can be useful, but when there are too many or they are in the wrong place, they can damage healthy cells through a process called oxidation. Overall, free radicals do more harm than good.

The advantage of consuming foods containing antioxidants rather than supplements is that foods contain a variety of antioxidants, while supplements often contain only one or two. Vitamin A alone has several hundred forms, and it’s unclear which form is beneficial. In addition, foods higher in antioxidants are often high in fiber and low in saturated fat and cholesterol.

Some of the better sources of antioxidants include berries, beans, fruits, vegetables, green tea, red wine, nuts, herbs, grains, and my personal favorite, DARK CHOCOLATE!