Antioxidant
Fruits
Antioxidant fruits are not created equal. Some antioxidant
fruits may have more antioxidant content compared to other
fruits. Others may have nutrients with antioxidant
properties, others may only have vitamins. But whatever the
case, it is still quite clear that antioxidant fruits are
good for the health.
The human body derives its energy from the utilization of
nutrients and oxygen as fuel. But oxygen, for all its
benefits and positive effects, may also carry with it some
negative ripple effect. When processing oxygen in the body
(a process called “oxidation), oxygen byproducts are
produced. These byproducts, called free
radicals, are highly reactive substances that may cause
damage to cells. The antioxidant substances found in
antioxidant fruits may work to neutralize these free
radicals and in the process prevent them from causing
damage.
Antioxidant Fruits: The Benefits
Many people are already familiar with antioxidant
fruits, such as citrus fruits which are known for their
high vitamin C content or apples for their beta-carotene.
Consuming lots of antioxidant fruits in your diet will help
boost the body’s defense against free radicals and
oxidative stress (damage caused by free radicals). Oxidative
stress is a process which many a scientist has linked with
the development of chronic and degenerative diseases such as
heart disease and cancer.
Antioxidant fruits may be plain fruits, cereals, and
vegetables. Some antioxidant fruits may also be taken in
dried, powdered forms, like dietary supplements or pills.
There is some research though that antioxidant fruits may be
taken better if you actually include them in your diet.
Fruit, vegetables, and cereals in your diet have additional
benefits compared to taking antioxidant fruits supplements.
Scientists point out that this might be because consuming
antioxidant fruits in food may provide a combination of
lesser-known but potent antioxidant substances, which may
afford greater effect than that of any single nutrient or
individual antioxidant supplement.
In a recent issue of the Journal of Nutrition, the total
antioxidant content of several antioxidant fruits, including
fruits, berries,
vegetables, cereals, nuts, and legumes, was analyzed.
According to their findings, the overall best sources of
antioxidant fruits under the berry category are dog rose,
sour cherry, blackberry, strawberry, raspberry, crowberry,
blueberry, and black currant. Under the antioxidant fruits
category are pomegranates, grape, orange, plum, pineapple,
lemon, dates, kiwi, Clementine, and grapefruit. For legumes,
broad beans topped the list while in the nut category,
walnuts and sunflower seeds occupied the first and second
spots, respectively.
Other antioxidant fruits include kale, chili pepper, red
cabbage, barley, millet, corn, ginger, and red beets.
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