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Foods High in Vitamin E

Priya Johnson
There are various foods such as nuts, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, etc., that contain high levels of vitamin E. By consuming them, one can furnish the body with adequate amounts of this vitamin...
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, touted for its splendid antioxidant properties. Medically referred to as alpha-tocopherol, this vitamin is actually a family of 8 antioxidants, 4 tocopherols, and 4 tocotrienols. Of all the types, only a-tocopherol is actively maintained in the human body.
Since vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, it can be stored in the body cells and tissues for later use. The dietary intake of vitamin E for children between the age of 6 months to 13 years varies in the range of 4 mg -11 mg, whereas for adults, 15 mg is the recommended dietary intake.

List of Foods Containing Vitamin E

The different vitamin E food sources available to us are as follows:

Vegetables

Leafy green vegetables are high in vitamin E content. The other vegetable sources of vitamin E are as follows:
  • Avocado
  • Asparagus
  • Spinach
  • Sweet potato
  • Red bell peppers
  • Turnip greens
  • Dandelion greens
  • Broccoli
  • Carrots
  • Mustard greens
  • Swiss chard
  • Kale and collard greens
  • Pumpkin
  • Brussels sprouts

Fruits

Unlike vegetables, there isn't a large variety of fruits that contain this vitamin.
  • Kiwi
  • Raw mango
  • Raw tomato
  • Papaya
Fruits like raspberries, cranberries, peaches, guava, pomegranate, etc., are seen to have traces of vitamin E in them.

Grains

The different grains that are high in vitamin E are as follows:
  • Wheat germ
  • Whole grains like wheat and oats
  • Seeds like sunflower seeds
  • Popcorn

Herbs and Spices

  • Oregano
  • Cayenne pepper
  • Thyme
  • Parsley
  • Ginger
  • Sage
  • Cumin
  • Cloves

Eggs and Dairy Products

Eggs and dairy products contain vitamin E as well. Thus, people who are not very fond of eating vegetables all the time have hope!
  • Milk
  • Egg yolk
  • Peanut butter
  • Marzipan
  • Mayonnaise

Nuts

Nuts are also loaded with vitamin E. Pop some into your mouth daily.
  • Dry-roasted almonds
  • Dry-roasted pistachio nuts
  • Hazelnuts
  • Peanuts
  • Pine nuts
  • Brazil nuts
  • Walnuts

Oils

There are also some oils that contain vitamin E such as:
  • Sunflower oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Corn oil
  • Soybean oil
  • Olive oil
  • Cotton seed oil
  • Rapeseed oil
  • Cod liver oil
Incorporating these foods into your diet will help furnish the body with the necessary vitamin E.

Health Benefits of Vitamin E

According to a report in the July 2010 issue of Archives of Neurology, it was revealed that those who consumed vitamin E-enriched foods were at a 25% lesser risk of suffering from dementia. Since oxidative-induced damage (damage to cells from oxygen exposure) is one major cause for dementia and Alzheimer disease, vitamin E prevents this kind of damage as it indirectly prevents chances of developing these conditions. Hair growth and better skin are also some of its benefits.
Vitamin E is high in antioxidant content and destroys free radicals formed as a result of metabolism. These free radicals can destroy the cell membranes and eventually lead to cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants destroy these free radicals and prevent them from damaging the tissues of the body, which in turn helps reduce the risk of cancer. Moreover, it also helps in preventing cholesterol from being converted into plaque. By reducing conversion of cholesterol to plaque, vitamin E is actually reducing one's chances of getting a heart attack.
Vitamin E plays a protective and restorative role in several body functions. It protects the body cells from oxidative damage and improves the overall health of a person. Thus, it is very important to include vitamin E foods in one's diet. You can also take supplements to compensate for any deficiency.
Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only and does not in any way attempt to replace the advice offered by an expert on the subject.