A USDA study done by scientist recently discovered that top foods with the disease-fighting compound of antioxidants were the acai berry, beans and artichokes.
The study also confirmed that widely known highly rich antioxidant foods like cranberries and blueberries were good sources--but surprisingly, research also determined that cinnamon, pecans, and even Russet potatoes contained high sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they are thought to fight cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.
"The bottom line is the same: eat more fruits and veggies," says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., a chemist and nutritionist with the USDA's Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Ark., and lead author of the study. "This study confirms that those foods are full of benefits, particularly those with higher levels of antioxidants. Nuts and spices are also good sources."
The new study is more complete more accurate than previous USDA antioxidant data and includes more foods than the previous study as high tech equipment was used by the researchers. They analyzed antioxidant levels in over 100 different foods, including fruits and vegetables--the new study also includes data on spices and nuts for the first time.
Among the fruits, vegetables and nuts analyzed, each food was measured for antioxidant concentration as well as antioxidant capacity per serving size. Cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries ranked highest among the fruits studied. Beans, artichokes and Russet potatoes were tops among the vegetables--pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts ranked highest in the nut category.
Spices usually are eaten in small amounts, even though many have been found to contain high levels of amino acids. Ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground oregano were found to have high levels of antioxidant concentration.
A study such as this proves very helpful for those looking to increase their antioxidant intake in their foods. However, caution must still be applied as foods that are high in antioxidants does not equate into health benefits--that process is determined by how the body absorbs and utilizes the antioxidant rich foods.
At the moment, there are no government guidelines for people to know many antioxidants to take and what kinds of antioxidants to consume in their daily meals--this is also the case with vitamins and minerals. A major barrier to such guidelines is a lack of consensus among nutrition researchers on uniform antioxidant measurements.
USDA officials consistently to encourage people to eat a variety of fruits like the acai berry and vegetables like potatoes for better health. - 16492
The study also confirmed that widely known highly rich antioxidant foods like cranberries and blueberries were good sources--but surprisingly, research also determined that cinnamon, pecans, and even Russet potatoes contained high sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are important because they are thought to fight cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and heart disease.
"The bottom line is the same: eat more fruits and veggies," says Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., a chemist and nutritionist with the USDA's Arkansas Children's Nutrition Center in Little Rock, Ark., and lead author of the study. "This study confirms that those foods are full of benefits, particularly those with higher levels of antioxidants. Nuts and spices are also good sources."
The new study is more complete more accurate than previous USDA antioxidant data and includes more foods than the previous study as high tech equipment was used by the researchers. They analyzed antioxidant levels in over 100 different foods, including fruits and vegetables--the new study also includes data on spices and nuts for the first time.
Among the fruits, vegetables and nuts analyzed, each food was measured for antioxidant concentration as well as antioxidant capacity per serving size. Cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries ranked highest among the fruits studied. Beans, artichokes and Russet potatoes were tops among the vegetables--pecans, walnuts and hazelnuts ranked highest in the nut category.
Spices usually are eaten in small amounts, even though many have been found to contain high levels of amino acids. Ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground oregano were found to have high levels of antioxidant concentration.
A study such as this proves very helpful for those looking to increase their antioxidant intake in their foods. However, caution must still be applied as foods that are high in antioxidants does not equate into health benefits--that process is determined by how the body absorbs and utilizes the antioxidant rich foods.
At the moment, there are no government guidelines for people to know many antioxidants to take and what kinds of antioxidants to consume in their daily meals--this is also the case with vitamins and minerals. A major barrier to such guidelines is a lack of consensus among nutrition researchers on uniform antioxidant measurements.
USDA officials consistently to encourage people to eat a variety of fruits like the acai berry and vegetables like potatoes for better health. - 16492
About the Author:
For the past 30 years, Dr. Jerimiah Crossderd has studied the benefits that antioxidants have on the body. He currently has an acai berry web site that is full of with an abundance of information on the high concentration of antioxidants found in acai berry. He also has a free acai berry review site of thew best acai berry products to buy.
