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.
It was also confirmed that already well-known high antioxidant foods such as cranberries and blueberries–the researchers also found that Russet potatoes, pecans and even cinnamon are all excellent–although lesser-known, sources of antioxidants. Antioxidants are thought to fight cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer’s.
“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.”
This is the most comprehensive and complete study ever done on foods with antioxidants as the USDA used high tech equipment and analyzed more foods than in the previous studies. The researchers analyzed over 100 foods like acai berry, fruits, vegetables, spices and nuts.
The foods were analyzed and measured for the concentration levels of antioxidants and the capacity per serving of the antioxidants. Research showed the top fruits were the acai berry, cranberries, blueberries, and black berries. The highest levels found in the nut category were walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans–Russet potatoes, beans, and artichokes were found to have the highest level antioxidant concentration in the vegetable category.
ground cloves, ground cinnamon, and oregano were found to have high amounts of antioxidants. Spices are usually consumed in small amounts, even though many are high in antioxidants.
This study should prove helpful for people who are looking to add antioxidants to their diet. Please note that the total capacity of antioxidants found in foods does not indicate necessarily the potential health benefit–this depends on how the food is absorbed by the body.
The government currently has no guidelines for how people should consume antioxidants as part of their daily diet–this is the same dilemma with vitamins and minerals. One big problem is the lack of continuity amongst researchers.
USDA officials consistently to encourage people to eat a variety of fruits like the acai berry and vegetables like potatoes for better health.
