Blueberries and Antioxidant Activity
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Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of
free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh
fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally
occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E. Blueberries contain 14 mg of
Vitamin C and 0.8 mg Vitamin E per 1 cup of blueberries. In addition, blueberries
contain anthocyanins and phenolics that can also act as antioxidants. Based on
data from the USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (Boston, MA),
blueberries are among the fruits with the highest antioxidant activity. Using a test
called ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity), researchers have shown that
a serving of fresh blueberries provides more antioxidant activity than many other
fresh fruits and vegetables.
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