An online community dedicated to helping senior caregivers.

We all know paying attention to what you eat is one of the keys to good health, but did you know what you drink can also provide a healthy boost?

In fact, antioxidant-rich drinks can be an important piece of the nutrition puzzle.

A recent study found that people with higher levels of antioxidants in their blood were less likely to develop dementia.

A recent study found that people with higher levels of antioxidants in their blood were less likely to develop dementia.

We’ve long known that antioxidants like vitamins C and E and beta-carotene provide protection for our cells from disease, but this study shows they can also help protect the brain.

The study’s authors found two types of antioxidants were related to the reduction in Alzheimer’s disease. The research found that people with blood containing antioxidants lutein+zeaxanthin and beta-cryptoxanthin were less likely to have developed dementia.

Lutein+zeaxanthin is found mostly in leafy green vegetables like kale, spinach and broccoli, while beta-cryptoxanthin can be found in oranges, papayas and tangerines.

The good news is that working those foods into your or your loved one’s diet is easier than you think. Instead of relying on eating all these nutrients, adding an antioxidant-laden drink also provides a quick, tasty and easy way to increase antioxidant intake.

Antioxidants are a substance found in some foods that protect cells from oxidative stress. 

“Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in a variety of diseases including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and eye diseases such as cataracts and age-related macular degeneration,” reports the National Institutes of Health.

Adding antioxidant-rich foods to your diet can help you or your loved one remain healthier longer. It’s important to note that simply adding vitamin or antioxidant supplements doesn’t provide the same benefits as eating antioxidant-rich foods. In some cases, antioxidant supplements can even cause harm if you take too much.

Seniors are especially at risk for oxidative stress, and research has shown they’re more likely to experience oxidative stress than younger people. That makes protecting seniors’ health with antioxidants even more important.

…research has shown [seniors] are more likely to experience oxidative stress than younger people.

Not only do antioxidants help prevent disease, they can even improve muscle strength. A clinical study found that “higher dietary intakes of most antioxidants, especially vitamin C, appear to be associated with higher skeletal muscular strength in elderly persons.”

Antioxidants can help improve a senior’s overall health, helping them to live a longer, more vibrant life.

One way to easily add antioxidants to your loved one’s diet is to include antioxidant-heavy drinks. You can start with the obvious choices like orange juice or carrot juice, but if you’re looking for something different, check out these five options.

With kale and collard greens as two key ingredients in this green juice, it’s packed with dementia-fighting antioxidants. A 46-ounce bottle will run you about $10.

Tea is a popular drink that goes with just about any meal, and switching to green tea can boost the number of disease-fighting antioxidants in your bloodstream. A pack of 12 will set you back less than $20.

Research shows “the antioxidant potential of pomegranate juice is more than that of red wine and green tea.” Pomegranate juice is a flavorful way to boost antioxidants in your body. Purchase a box of eight drinks for less than $25.

Maybe tea and juice aren’t your thing, and you prefer to stick with water. Don’t worry: Positive Beverage’s flavored water packs in vitamins C, D and B12 give you an antioxidant boost without a lot of extra calories. You can get a pack of 12 drinks for about $30.

Maybe buying a six- or 12-pack of drinks seems like a lot of work when you might not drink it all. Check out this organic acai powder you can simply add to your own water, juice or smoothie. And the great thing about a powder is you can slip it into other dishes like yogurt as well. This is your cheapest option as well, costing under $25 for 120 servings.

Make your own drink – Recipes for antibiotic-rich drinks abound on the Internet. Choose a recipe that includes antibiotic-rich foods like leafy greens and berries.

Not all drinks are created equal when it comes to antioxidant drinks. Make sure you’re not just getting a can of juice with a few vegetable extracts thrown in. Check the labels to ensure your drink of choice includes actual fruits and vegetables—not just juices and concentrates.

Check the labels to ensure your drink of choice includes actual fruits and vegetables—not just juices and concentrates.

Antioxidant-rich drinks are a simple way to add some antioxidants to your loved one’s diet. While those antioxidants are doing the hard work of warding off disease and keeping cells strong, you and your loved one can simply sit and enjoy some conversation—and a tasty drink.

From preventing cancer to lowering the chances of developing dementia, antioxidants provide countless benefits. So, go ahead—raise a drink to your health!