Trying to maximize your intake of disease-fighting antioxidants? The following 20 foods contain the highest antioxidant concentration.

1. Pomegranates
2. Small red beans (dried)
3. Wild blueberries
4. Red kidney beans
5. Pinto beans
6. Blueberries (cultivated)
7. Cranberries
8. Artichokes (cooked)
9. Blackberries
10. Prunes
11. Raspberries
12. Strawberries
13. Red Delicious apples
14. Granny Smith apples
15. Pecans
16. Sweet cherries
17. Black plums
18. Gala apples
19. Black beans (dried)
20. Plums

Antioxidants are naturally occurring nutrients that help prevent heart disease, cancer, and aging. Little is known about how antioxidants work and what affects their ability to function properly. Scientists believe that some antioxidants are more potent than others, and their potency can be affected by how they're cooked or how they're digested. For example, the antioxidants in blueberries lose their potency when cooked, while the antioxidants in tomatoes become more potent when cooked.

So even though this list is a good guide for finding antioxidant-rich foods, it's best to hedge your nutritional bets by eating a wide variety of items. (Note that all of the foods listed above are acceptable on The South Beach Diet™, fruits would be introduced during Phase 2.)

Also see:

Top Antioxidant-Rich Foods Seasonal Produce: Pomegranates Getting Started: Seven Things To Remember The South Beach Meal Plan Week-One Grocery List Ending Embarrassing Gas Drinks in Phase 1