Just what's the big deal with antioxidants anyway? We hear about them all the time, but what do they do? Well, they're supposed to slow down aging. Don't believe me? Here's the explanation. When our body digests, a by-product is produced called free radicals. It's thought that these free radicals accumulate in our body and are what cause aging. Antioxidants are thought to help break down the free radicals, and therefore increase longevity. Antioxidants have also been linked to lower rates of cancer because free radicals can become carcinogens over time.

So what does this have to do with you? Duh – get your antioxidants! It might not seem like a big deal now that you're footloose and disease-free, but in a few years or decades, it will pay off. Increasing your consumption of antioxidants is simple: eat your fruits and veggies. Berries are especially high in antioxidants. Other great sources? Almonds, green tea, flax, coffee and even red wine.