The Mayo Clinic website explains that antioxidants could lower the chances of a person developing chronic diseases, such as macular degeneration, Alzheimer's disease and cancer. The clinic emphasizes that antioxidants from the diet are a better form than those in supplements. Many foods contain antioxidants, and berries are a rich source, although the clinic advises eating a wide variety of antioxidant sources.
Blueberries
The Mayo Clinic website lists blueberries as one of the best antioxidant berries. A 2007 study in the "Journal of the American College of Nutrition" found that blueberries contained more effective antioxidants for the body than cherries and strawberries. The study found that these antioxidants could possibly lower the risk for chronic disease, including cancer.
Blackberries
Blackberries are another rich source of antioxidants. A 2000 study in the "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry" found ripe blackberries and black raspberries to be the best sources of antioxidants when compared to strawberries and red raspberries.
Raspberries
Raspberries are also included in the list of major antioxidant berry sources, provided by the Mayo Clinic website. Raspberries contain the antioxidants ellagic acid and flavonoids. The World's Healthiest Foods website reports that raspberries have about 50 percent more antioxidant functions than strawberries. The antioxidants in raspberries may fight damaging free radicals in the body and may prevent cancer.
Cranberries
Cranberries are also a rich source of antioxidants that contain polyphenols, which may lower "bad" cholesterol levels and fight against cancer. Cranberries had the most antioxidant phenols when studied next to 19 variations of fruit, according to The World's Healthiest Foods.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Food Sources the Best Choice for Antioxidants
- "Journal of the American College of Nutrition"; Plasma Antioxidant Capacity Changes Following a Meal as a Measure of the Ability of a Food to Alter In Vivo Antioxidant Status; Ronald L. Prior, Ph.D., et al.; April 2007
- "Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry"; Antioxidant Activity in Fruits and Leaves of Blackberry, Raspberry and Strawberry Varies With Cultivar and Developmental Stage"; S.Y. Wang and H.S Lin; February 2000
- The World's Healthiest Foods: Raspberries
- The World's Healthiest Foods: Cranberries
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