Nature’s antioxidants
Studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants, which are primarily provided by fruits and vegetables, may help prevent a variety of serious diseases Among the best known antioxidants are vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, selenium, ubiquinone (Q10) and the flavonoids found in wine, apples, onions and tea.
Surprisingly, cooked artichokes were found the highest-ranking vegetable-antioxidant. Even more of surprise was the discovery of antioxidative properties of potato placed on the top twenty list. (Health Evidence Network, WHO)
Comparing 40 fruit and beriries for their antioxidative activities researchers put wild blueberries to # 1 position. Among many health benefits listed were: memory and heart support, vision protection, urinary tract health, and cancer prevention. Cultivated blueberries were rated lower than their wild relatives (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 52: 4026-4037, 2004)
Not only wild blueberries, but other berries such as: dog rose, sour cherry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, crowberry, and especially black currant are now considered potent antioxidants. Cranberries ranked sixth, with blackberries eighth, raspberries tenth, and strawberries eleventh. (August 1, 2004 -- Vegparadise News Bureau)
The long-lasting champion championship of blueberries as antioxidants, recently a new candidate for the position has been announced - small red kidney beans, leaving blueberries slightly behind and pinto and black beans seriously down the list. (June 9 issue of (The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry June 09)
