When ingested by healthy elderly test subjects (120 ml per day) for 30 days, a standardized Goji fruit juice (GoChi, provided by FreeLife International, USA) has been found to boost the antioxidant defense but at the same time also lowered the oxidative stress-induced damage of lipids, i.e. fat molecules which are vital for the proper functioning of the human body. However, other blood parameters such as cholesterol or glucose levels appeared to be unaffected by the Goji fruit juice consumption.

Taken together, this placebo-controlled study by Amagase and colleagues indicates that Goji fruit juice “increased antioxidant efficacies in humans by stimulating endogenous factors and suggest that continued use beyond 30 days might help prevent or reduce free radical-related conditions.”.

For more details, you may want to check out the article published recently in the journal Nutrition Research (doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2008.11.005).

Photo: Wolfberries, Wikipedia

Post from: Blisstree

Wolfberry (Goji) Improves Oxidative Stress Resistance in Humans

Acorns figure a lot in the diet of Californian Native Americans in the form of acorn flour or as an ingredient in soups. And like many other diets originating from California, acorn appears to be a healthy idea, as it has been demonstrated to be rich in phytochemicals.

A total of 22 hydrolyzable tannins were identified in methanolic extracts of acorn cotyledon tissue. Gallic acid derivatives predominated and included galloylated esters of glucose, hexahydrodiphenoyl esters of glucose, and methylated gallates. Galloylated esters of glucose were present as isomers of galloyl glucose, digalloyl glucose, and trigalloyl glucose. Mass spectral fragmentation patterns indicate the presence of one gallic acid-galloyl glucose isomer and two gallic acid-digalloyl-glucose isomers. No isomers of tetragalloyl glucose and pentagalloyl glucose were identified. Ellagic acid and ellagic acid pentoside were also identified.

Compared to other nuts, acorns contain more tannins, which gives it the bitter taste and requires tedious processing. Here’s a review article discussing the role of tannins on human health, most documented are its anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, and anti-oxidative properties.

[Photo: Wikipedia]

Post from: Blisstree

Tannin-Rich Acorns, Not Just For Squirrels

Strawberries and blueberries, for example, have been shown in mice to help protect against the damage that causes a decline in learning and motor skills commonly seen with aging. These fruits are rich in polyphenols, antioxidants which protect the brain against oxidative stress, thereby helping us keep our brains sharp even as we age.

If you’re up for more scientific reading, you may want to see the article from the Neurobiology of Aging, or the news story here.

Post from: Blisstree

Strawberries for Your Aging Brain