Fruits with High Antioxidant Content

While most fruits contain health beneficial antioxidant phytonutrients, they vary not only in the amount, but also in the bioavailability– that portion which can actually be absorbed by the body.  In a study published recently in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, researchers measured cellular antioxidant activity (CAA), total phenolic content, and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values of 25 fruits.

“The CAA assay is a more biologically relevant method than the chemistry antioxidant activity assays as it accounts for uptake, metabolism, distribution and activity of antioxidant compounds within cells versus solely looking at antioxidant value,” said lead scientist Rui Hai Liu, PhD.

According to their findings, wild blueberries are the topnotchers in antioxidant activity based on these parameters (cultivated blueberries showed less antioxidant activity). Pomegranates, blackberries, raspberries and cranberries also got good scores. And while apples and strawberries aren’t that high in antioxidants, comparatively, they are the main source of antioxidants in a typical American diet, simply because of the volume they are consumed. Bananas and melons turned out low scores, and, surprise, surprise, those antioxidant fruit juice supplements being sold through MLM such as noni, acai ang goji? All under the radar, based on the test results.

My take on all these? Eat fruits. Doesn’t matter what, but lots of different fruits on a regular basis. I think you’d get your fair dose of antioxidants this way with the added bonus of treating your tastebuds to a variety of flavors, too!

Hat tip: Biotech Weblog, Photo Credit: Bien Stephenson via Flickr