Posted on 01/31/2008 12:14:17 AM PST by nickcarraway
Fruit of the bog outshines 19 commonly eaten fruits for the antioxidant advantage
WAREHAM, Mass., Jan. 30 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The latest Agricultural Research Service Report from USDA, containing the results of the most comprehensive analysis of antioxidants in foods, shows cranberries score among the highest of all common fruits on the antioxidant scale (http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=15866).
The report includes antioxidant values for a wide variety of foods, which are measured by their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC value. With 9584 ORAC units per 100 grams of fresh fruit, cranberries have the highest antioxidant capacity when compared to 19 common fruits.
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) of Selected Foods - 2007 U.S. Department of Agriculture
FRUIT ORAC USDA 2007
Cranberry 9584
Blueberry 6552
Plum 6259
Blackberry 5347
Raspberry 4882
Strawberry 3577
Cherry 3365
Apple 3082
Pear 2941
Avocado 1933
Orange, navel 1819
Peach 1814
Tangerine 1620
Grape, red 1260
Grapefruit 1238
Kiwifruit 1210
Grape, green 1118
Apricot 1115
Mango 1002
Banana 879
Nectarine 750
Pineapple 562
Honeydew 241
Watermelon 142
The chart above shows cranberries score the highest of all common fruits on the antioxidant scale at 9584 ORAC units per 100 g as reported in the recently updated USDA ORAC report.
Often identified in food by their deep-colored pigments - such as the deep red color of cranberries - antioxidants are important components in plants that are showing potential to protect the body from harmful oxidants known as "free radicals," which are caused by daily stresses like cigarette smoke, pollutants, unhealthy foods and environmental toxins.(1) The cell damage caused by free radicals weakens the immune system and is linked to several diseases. Antioxidants reduce the effect of these free radical oxidants by binding with them and decreasing their destructive power and repairing damage. While more research is needed on the effects of antioxidants on health, preliminary studies suggest they may work by helping to maintain healthy cells, tissues and arteries.
There are different types of antioxidants. Known for their antioxidant activity, flavonoids make up the largest subgroup of phytonutrients, which are beneficial compounds found in plant-based foods, including cranberries. Specifically, cranberries contain a subclass of flavonoids called anthocyanins, which are known for their role as antioxidants. Additionally, cranberries contain a subclass called proanthocyanidins, known for helping to inhibit E.coli - the bacteria responsible for 80-90 percent of urinary tract infections - and helping to maintain a healthy urinary tract.(2-6) Ongoing research continues to reveal more about the unique flavonoid contributions of cranberries and flavonoids' potential effects on health.
This is exciting news for those who want great taste and healthy rewards from their food choices. With so many reasons to love cranberries, it's just a matter of choosing which of their bright red forms to enjoy; choose from sweetened or unsweetened cranberry juice, sweetened dried cranberries, cranberry sauce and frozen berries. Try starting your day with cranberry juice, a cran-smoothie, oatmeal topped with dried cranberries or a cranberry oatmeal muffin. Later in the day, enjoy sweetened dried cranberries as a snack, as a topper on salads, in trail mix, or mixed in rice.
For more information on cranberries, please visit http://www.uscranberries.com.
Sources:
1. Urquiaga I, Leighton F. Plant Polyphenol Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress. Presented at the conference, "Biology and Pathology of Free Radicals: Plant and Wine Polyphenol Antioxidants" held July 29-30, 1999, at the Catholic University, Santiago, Chile, partially supported by the Molecular Basis of Chronic Diseases Program of the Catholic University (PUC-PBMEC99).
2. Avorn J., Monane M., Gurwitz JH., Glynn RJ, Choodnovskiy L., Lipsitz LA. Reduction of bacteriuria and pyuria after ingestion of cranberry juice. Journal of the American Medical Association, 1994: 271:751-754.
3. Stothers L. Randomized trial to evaluate effectiveness and cost effectiveness of naturopathic cranberry products as prophylaxis against urinary tract infection in women. Canadian Journal of Urology, 2002: 9:1558-1562.
5. Greenberg JA, Newmann SJ, Howell AB. Consumption of sweetened dried cranberries versus unsweetened raisins for inhibition of uropathogenic escherichia coli adhesion in human urine: A pilot study. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2005: 11:875-878.
6. Liu Y, Black MA, Caron L, Camesano TA. Role of cranberry juice on molecular scale surface characteristics and adhesion behavior of escherichia coli. Biotechnology and Bioengineering 2006; 93:297-305.
Website: http://www.ars.usda.gov/ Website: http://www.uscranberries.com/
I’m gonna paint my old truck a cranberry red-—stop it from rusting.
no proof these help - all studies are pure hype from vendor’s of antioxidant foods
notice that pomegranites are not part of the study?
Gosh, nick, I was pulling for caraway. ;’)
Maybe it’s because pomegranates are uncommon fruits, unless you live in the Middle East. When I lived in Florida, for example, the local markets only had them once a year, prompting me to say, “If they have pomegranates, it must be September.”
I love cranberries with my Turkey.
If you mean Eric Carmen, I grok that.
bttt
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